We’re all used to reaching for our calculator to help us find the answers to mathematical problems, but what did people use before these existed? Although mechanical calculating machines have been around for 400 years, it wasn’t until about 60 years ago that the pocket calculator became available. How did engineers and scientists perform all the calculations they needed to quickly and efficiently? Visit us to find out about some ingenious ideas and make your own simple paper ‘calculator’ to take home.

This is a pop-up activity and is included in the price of Museum admission.

This event is taking place as part of Maths Week England, which this year has the theme ‘Can we solve it?’ For more information and a wealth of mathematical resources, please visit https://mathsweekengland.co.uk/