Michele Mele, Gennaro Sicignano

Proceedings of the 14th International Multi-Conference on Complexity, Informatics and Cybernetics: IMCIC 2023, pp. 35-37 (2023); https://doi.org/10.54808/IMCIC2023.01.35

Michele Mele
Department of Engineering, University of Sannio, Benevento, Italy

Gennaro Sicignano
SINAPSI Center, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy

Cite this paper as:
Mele, M., Sicignano, G. (2023). The Analogical Way: How Blind People Used to Do Mathematics Before the Computer Era. In N. Callaos, S. Hashimoto, N. Lace, B. Sánchez, M. Savoie (Eds.), Proceedings of the 14th International Multi-Conference on Complexity, Informatics and Cybernetics: IMCIC 2023, pp. 35-37. International Institute of Informatics and Cybernetics. https://doi.org/10.54808/IMCIC2023.01.35

This paper provides a brief history of the tools that people with low or no sight have used throughout the centuries to study or produce mathematical results before modern technologies, such as computers and screen-readers, were invented and changed the way people with visual disabilities approach the subject. Blind or partially sighted people who wanted to do mathematics have often created new tools and methodologies for themselves, often keeping them private for long periods, but eventually revolutioning the mathematical education and research with their inventions, many of which provided the inspiration for the technologies we have today.