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The year 1642 in science and technology involved some significant events.

Astronomy

  • Rundetårn astronomical observatory for the University of Copenhagen is completed, as is also the Panzano Observatory.

Computing

  • 19-year-old Blaise Pascal begins to develop the Pascaline, the first practical mechanical calculator, initially to help with the recording of taxes.

Exploration

  • November 24 – Abel Tasman, Dutch explorer, is the first European known to sight Tasmania, which he names Anthoonij van Diemenslandt.
  • December 13 – Tasman is the first European known to sight New Zealand.

Technology

  • Opening throughout of the Briare Canal in France, the first summit level canal in Europe built using pound locks.
  • The printmaking process of mezzotint is developed by Ludwig von Siegen.

Births

  • March (possible date) – Seki Takakazu, Japanese mathematician (died 1708)
  • December 25 (OS) – Isaac Newton, English polymath (died 1727)

Deaths

  • January 8 – Galileo Galilei, Italian astronomer (born 1564)

References