Babbage’s Difference Engine and bicycle: what they have in common

1. Step 1. Babbage’s Difference Engine — evolved from — Mechanical calculator. Babbage automated the computing of tables using the mechanics of calculators.
2. Step 2. Mechanical calculator — evolved into — Leibniz’s stepped reckoner. Leibniz developed Pascal’s idea by adding multiplication.
3. Step 3. Leibniz’s stepped reckoner — evolved into — Arithmometer. Thomas’s arithmometer used Leibniz’s stepped drum.
4. Step 4. Arithmometer — has part — Crank. The handle for adding and subtracting.
5. Step 5. Crank — is part of — Bicycle drivetrain. The cranks turn the motion of the legs into rotation.
6. Step 6. Bicycle drivetrain — is part of — Bicycle. The drivetrain transfers the force of the legs to the rear wheel — the main difference from a kick scooter.

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