John Napier (Scottish mathematician)

John Napier was a 16th-century Scottish mathematician best known for inventing logarithms, a tool that simplifies complex calculations by turning multiplication into addition. This innovation greatly aided scientists, navigators, and engineers before calculators were common. He also developed Napier's bones, a set of calculating rods that made multiplication and division easier. Napier’s work laid important groundwork for modern mathematics and computational methods, helping to advance scientific discovery and exploration during the Renaissance era.