John W.
Nystrom
Nystroms Calculator
John W. Nystrom (Swedish: Johan Vilhelm Nystrm)
(18251885) was a Swedish born, American civil engi-
neer, inventor and author. He served as an assistant Sec-
retary and Chief Engineer of the United States Navy dur-
ing the American Civil War.[1]
1 Background
He was born Johan Vilhelm Nystrm in Smland Treatise on Elements of Mechanics Establishing Strict
province, Sweden. He received his engineering de- Precision in the Meaning of Dynamical Terms.
gree from the Royal Institute of Technology ( Kungliga
Tekniska hgskolan) in Stockholm, Sweden. He emi-
grated to the United States where he became an American 4 Selected works
citizen in 1854. He maintained residence in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania where he died on May 11, 1885.[2]
2 Inventions and patents
Nystrom received many patents for inventions such as a
marine steam engine, a refrigerator, and calculating ma-
chines. His slide ruler invention (U. S. patent #7961)
was led with the United States Patent Oce on 4 March
1851.[3]
Nystrom is most noted for his proposal to switch from
base 10 to base 16 as dened in his 1862 publication titled
Project of a New System of Arithmetic, Weight, Measure
and Coins, Proposed to be Called the Tonal System, with
Sixteen to the Base.
3 Numeral systems
3.1 Tonal system (hexadecimal)
Main article: Tonal system
In 1859, Nystrom proposed a hexadecimal (base 16) sys-
tem of notation, arithmetic, and metrology called the
Tonal System. In addition to new weights and measures,
his proposal included a new calendar with sixteen months,
a new system of coinage, and a hexadecimal clock with
sixteen hours in a day.
I am not afraid, or do not hesitate, to advocate a binary
system of arithmetic and metrology. I know I have nature
on my side; if I do not succeed to impress upon you its
utility and great importance to mankind, it will reect that
much less credit upon our generation, upon scientic men
and philosophers.
(Quotation: John W. Nystrom, ca. 1863)[4]
3.2 Duodenal system (duodecimal)
In 1875, Nystrom proposed a new duodecimal (base 12)
system of notation, arithmetic, and metrology called the
Duodenal System as an appendix in his book A New
A treatise on screw propellers and their steam-
engines, with practical rules and examples how to cal-
culate and construct the same ... accompanied with
A treatise on bodies in motion in uid ... also, a full
description of a calculating machine (Philadelphia:
H. C. Baird. 1852)
Project of a new system of arithmetic, weight, mea-
sure and coins, proposed to be called the tonal system,
with sixteen to the base (Philadelphia: J.B. Lippin-
cott & Co.; London: Trubner & Co. 1862)
On technological education and the construction of
ships and screw propellers, for naval and marine en-
gineers (Philadelphia: H.C. Baird. 1866)
Informe al supremo gobierno del Per, sobre una es-
pedicin al interior de la repblica (Lima: E. Prugue.
1
2 6 EXTERNAL LINKS

1868) Spanish

Pocket-book of mechanics and engineering (Phi-

ladlephia: J. B. Lippincott & co.; London: Trbner
& Co. 1869)
Principles of dynamics (Philadelphia: J. P. Murphy,
printer. 1874)
A new treatise on elements of mechanics establish-
ing strict precision in the meaning of dynamical terms
accompanied with an appendix on duodenal arith-
metic and metrology (Philadelphia: Porter & Coates.
1875)

A new treatise on steam engineering, physical prop-

erties of permanent gases, and of dierent kinds of
vapor (Philadelphia: London: J.B. Lippincott & Co.
1876)

5 References
[1] Nystroms Calculator. History of Computer. Retrieved
March 15, 2016.

[2] More than 175 years of excellence. KTH Royal Institute

of Technology in Stockholm. Retrieved March 15, 2016.

[3] American Slide Rule Patents (The Oughtred Society)

[4] The Art of Computer Programming section 4.1, Donald

Knuth.

6 External links
Nystrom, John W. Project of a New System of Arith-
metic, Weight, Measure and Coins, Proposed to be
Called the Tonal System, with Sixteen to the Base
Nystrom, John W. On a new system of arithmetic and
metrology, called the tonal system Part 1,Part 2,Part
3

Nystrom, John W. A New Treatise on Elements of

Mechanics Establishing Strict Precision in the Mean-
ing of Dynamical Terms
 3

7 Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

7.1 Text
John W. Nystrom Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_W._Nystrom?oldid=723602138 Contributors: Gojomo, Ahoerstemeier,
Feedmecereal, Johnh123, Owen, Rhobite, Bender235, Remuel, Jebur~enwiki, Peter 2005, Tony1, Luke-Jr, Wechselstrom, Neier, Smack-
Bot, Hmains, Robosh, Ckatz, LessHeard vanU, Cydebot, Gatoclass, Kaskitty, Waacstats, Monegasque, Plotdream 007, Hauptmech,
Watchduck, Addbot, Tuvalkin, Drilnoth, Hauganm, Crusoe8181, RjwilmsiBot, Indiana State, VIAFbot, Juvrud, KasparBot and Anony-
mous: 8

7.2 Images
File:Nystrom_Calculator.png Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d3/Nystrom_Calculator.png License: Public domain
Contributors:
Project of a New System of Arithmetic, Weight, Measure and Coins, Proposed to be Called the Tonal System with Sixteen to the Base. Philadel-
phia: J. B. Lippincott, 1862
Original artist:
John W. Nystrom

7.3 Content license

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