If you liked that one and want to learn more, read "Number Words and Number Symbols" - A Cultural History of Numbers. Author: Karl Menninger. I got it from the MIT Press. Stan Jakuba ----- Original Message ----- From: Pat Naughtin To: U.S. Metric Association Sent: 08 May 28, Wednesday 20:16 Subject: [USMA:40999] Universal History of Numbers
Dear All, I acquired a truly excellent history of numbers recently in a second hand book sale. It was The Universal History of Numbers -- From Prehistory to the Invention of the Computer by Georges Ifrah, translated by David Bellos et al. John Wiley and Sons, 1998. 633 pages ISBN 0-471-39340-1. A review at http://www.sas.org/E-Bulletin/2001-10-26/reviews/reviews.html concluded by saying: … this is a marvelous book. Counting systems and numeric history from around the globe, and from preliterate time to the first calculating machines are described in enthralling detail. I don't care how much you know about math or history, you will learn a lot just from leafing through this seemingly endless stream of numeric delights. For those of you interested in the history of numbers and their application to the modern metric system you might find many resources in this book. By the way there are 26 new and used copies available from Amazon. Cheers, Pat Naughtin PO Box 305 Belmont 3216, Geelong, Australia Phone: 61 3 5241 2008 Metric system consultant, writer, and speaker, Pat Naughtin, has helped thousands of people and hundreds of companies upgrade to the modern metric system smoothly, quickly, and so economically that they now save thousands each year when buying, processing, or selling for their businesses. Pat provides services and resources for many different trades, crafts, and professions for commercial, industrial and government metrication leaders in Asia, Europe, and in the USA. Pat's clients include the Australian Government, Google, NASA, NIST, and the metric associations of Canada, the UK, and the USA. See http://www.metricationmatters.com/ for more metrication information, contact Pat at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or to get the free 'Metrication matters' newsletter go to: http://www.metricationmatters.com/newsletter/ to subscribe.
