Paris court blocks auction of earliest-known calculator
A Paris court has blocked the auction of La Pascaline, a 400-year-old mechanical calculating machine, preventing it from being exported out of France. The device, created in the 17th century by mathematician Blaise Pascal, is considered the earliest-known calculator in the world.
The court ruling came amid concerns that the historical artifact, which holds significant scientific and cultural value, should remain in France for preservation and public display. Auction organizers had planned to sell the calculator to an international buyer, prompting authorities to intervene to protect France’s national heritage.
Experts say La Pascaline represents a key milestone in the history of computing, as it was designed to perform arithmetic calculations mechanically, centuries before modern electronic calculators. The machine’s preservation is seen as vital to understanding the development of early computing technology and the legacy of Pascal’s work.
The ruling underscores the tension between private ownership and the protection of culturally and scientifically important artifacts, a debate that has arisen in France and other countries over historical treasures.