In the previous chapters the most important devices for environment measuring have been discussed. But a measure has little
use if no computation devices are available. For this reason in the present chapter we will look at those that were available
in ancient times.
What we call today “computing machines” were invented and developed after the 16th century but, as will become clear in the
following sections, older devices are, without any doubt, legitimate precursors in the art of computation. Some of them show
a surprising skill and modernity on the part of their ancient inventors.