Napier's Bones

Curious Minds Did You Know? John Napier was also known for inventing logarithms, an extremely important tool in mathematics.

Napier's Bones was designed in 1617 by John Napier a Scottish Mathematician. In its day it was a wondrous device that simplified complex multiplication and other math processes such as long division and square roots. It was essentially the first calculator and was in common use for nearly 3 centuries.

Unlike other sets of Napier's bones on the market, our Napier's Bones come with two 2 full sets of rods to increase the versatility of the set; the more rods you have, the more complex and varied numbers you can manipulate. Thus the set that we sell has 2 full sets of rods #0-9 (20 rods in total) that can be both used and stored in the attractive base with cover. Rods are made from 1/8” thick alder and are deeply laser engraved. The base is a 7" x 7" square and the rods are each 6" long.

This beautiful presented double set of Napier's Rods made from alder wood, comes presented in a lovely wooden case, making an exquisite and unusual gift for any mathematician.
Napier's Bones was designed in 1617 by John Napier a Scottish Mathematician. In its day it was a wonderous device that simplified complex multiplication and other math processes such as long division and square roots. It was essentially the first calculator and was in common use for nearly 3 centuries.


This is something I find wonderfully elegant in understanding and explaining how basic math works. This can be a valuable tool for educators. Plus every math geek should have one to better understand his/her roots:))
In researching the Napiers bones, I found only one other set available on the internet (UK), which included only 1 set of rods and no cover or storage box for the rods. I wanted to make a fully functional well crafted set that would store easily. I also wanted to provide 2 full sets of rods to increase the versatility of the set. The more rods you have, the more complex and varied numbers you can manipulate.


Thus the set that we make in our Florida has 2 full sets of rods #0-9 (20 rods in total) that can be both used and stored in the attractive base with cover. Rods are made from 1/8” thick alder and are deeply laser engraved. The base is a 7" x 7" square and the rods are each 6" long.