Folio

folio

The future of commerce is the future of the internet — Bill Gates The future of commerce is the future of the internet — Bill Gates It’s only been a hot minute, but things have become wildly different from the time we launched Startups of The Year 2024 and our results today, what with a new president moving into the White House and upending global trade. With news headlines changing by the minute, your guess is as good as ours as to what the future holds. Still, throughout this noise, we are happy to say that Startups of The Year was a massive year for us and our startup partners. In its 2024 iteration, 150,000+ startups across the globe were nominated, with over 4M+ votes cast in the running for Startup of The Year. 150,000+ startups Better still, the startup scene in the Commerce category continued to be driven by innovation, a bunch of passionate folks, and a supportive environment that helped cool ventures take off in different industries. Commerce With such a vast range of innovative products and ideas, we were sure it would be difficult for the internet to choose their favorites. But vote it did, and without further ado, here are the startup winners in the Commerce category! Commerce 🏆 Key Stats Let’s start out with some general stats for all of you technical folks. Total Startups Participated: 17,900
Sub Industries Represented: 7
Total Votes Gathered: 45,400
Winning Startups: 7 Total Startups Participated: 17,900 Total Startups Participated: Sub Industries Represented: 7 Sub Industries Represented: Total Votes Gathered: 45,400 Total Votes Gathered: Winning Startups: 7 Winning Startups: To explore winning top startups in other industries or cities, head over to startups.hackernoon.com and use the search bar — the name at the top of each list is the winner.


You may also check out the full list of nominated startups in the Commerce Industry HERE.



Stay tuned for our Startups of The Year Winner Announcement Series, where we’ll be highlighting the top startups across various regions and industries. To explore winning top startups in other industries or cities, head over to startups.hackernoon.com and use the search bar — the name at the top of each list is the winner.


You may also check out the full list of nominated startups in the Commerce Industry HERE. To explore winning top startups in other industries or cities, head over to startups.hackernoon.com and use the search bar — the name at the top of each list is the winner. To explore winning top startups in other industries or cities, head over to startups.hackernoon.com and use the search bar — the name at the top of each list is the winner. startups.hackernoon.com You may also check out the full list of nominated startups in the Commerce Industry HERE. You may also check out the full list of nominated startups in the Commerce Industry HERE. HERE. HERE Stay tuned for our Startups of The Year Winner Announcement Series, where we’ll be highlighting the top startups across various regions and industries. Stay tuned for our Startups of The Year Winner Announcement Series, where we’ll be highlighting the top startups across various regions and industries. Startups of The Year Winner Announcement Series Now, drum roll please, here are all the 2024 Startups of The Year winners for Commerce drum roll please Commerce E-Commerce (18.7k total votes, 2.1k startups) E-Commerce Winner: NAYAMAX Winner: NAYAMAX NAYAMAX Airline Limited
The Real Group Airline Limited Airline Limited The Real Group The Real Group Honorable Mentions: Honorable Mentions: Simple Influence
Kuwait Mart
Folio
Sparrow
Tasker Army
Shugert Marketing
Hyperce Simple Influence Simple Influence Kuwait Mart Kuwait Mart Folio Folio Sparrow Sparrow Tasker Army Tasker Army Shugert Marketing Shugert Marketing Hyperce Hyperce Payments (13.2k total votes, 1k startups) Payments Winner: Bloom Money Winner: Bloom Money Bloom Money Leonado Limited
Vbanq Leonado Limited Leonado Limited Vbanq Vbanq Honorable Mentions: Honorable Mentions: LEASIFIER
Clickmenu
Tonomy Foundation
Slash Mark IT Startup
UK Cryptoasset Business Council (UKCBC)
PAL
Halan - حالا LEASIFIER LEASIFIER Clickmenu Clickmenu Tonomy Foundation Tonomy Foundation Slash Mark IT Startup Slash Mark IT Startup UK Cryptoasset Business Council (UKCBC) UK Cryptoasset Business Council (UKCBC) PAL PAL Halan - حالا Halan - حالا Consumer Goods (6.4k total votes, 8.7k startups) Consumer Goods Winner: Folio Winner: Folio Folio Simple Influence
Kuwait Mart Simple Influence Simple Influence Kuwait Mart Kuwait Mart Honorable Mentions: Honorable Mentions: Sparrow
Midwest Composites
Dealscard
Allo Services
WOYO Mali
MDV Retail Solutions
Plant Origin Sparrow Sparrow Midwest Composites Midwest Composites Dealscard Dealscard Allo Services Allo Services WOYO Mali WOYO Mali MDV Retail Solutions MDV Retail Solutions Plant Origin Plant Origin Travel & Hospitality (2.7k total votes, 2.6k startups) Travel & Hospitality Winner: FueGo. Winner: FueGo. FueGo. The Chakra Lounge
VOYON The Chakra Lounge The Chakra Lounge VOYON VOYON Honorable Mentions: Honorable Mentions: inlife housing
Holiwise
FoodTripGo
Naya Homes
Zomni
Pelago by Singapore Airlines
M Aerospace RTC inlife housing inlife housing Holiwise Holiwise FoodTripGo FoodTripGo Naya Homes Naya Homes Zomni Zomni Pelago by Singapore Airlines Pelago by Singapore Airlines M Aerospace RTC M Aerospace RTC Fashion (1.8k total votes, 1.2k startups) Fashion Winner: Bird Eye India Winner: Bird Eye India Bird Eye India The Real Group
VALENTIS HOME The Real Group The Real Group VALENTIS HOME VALENTIS HOME Honorable Mentions: Honorable Mentions: D3V.STORE
Re-Fresh Global
Roaan
Fashivly
Svenklas
dropout
Fibbl D3V.STORE D3V.STORE Re-Fresh Global Re-Fresh Global Roaan Roaan Fashivly Fashivly Svenklas Svenklas dropout dropout Fibbl Fibbl Recreation (1.4k total votes, 1.2k startups) Recreation Winner: RockPorch Winner: RockPorch RockPorch firsthub.in
HotTakes firsthub.in firsthub.in HotTakes HotTakes Honorable Mentions: Honorable Mentions: Nano Knight Studio
thescoutglobal
RENERGY
Immersely Limited
Flowcode
Tiny Souls Media
Tribune Wired Nano Knight Studio Nano Knight Studio thescoutglobal thescoutglobal RENERGY RENERGY Immersely Limited Immersely Limited Flowcode Flowcode Tiny Souls Media Tiny Souls Media Tribune Wired Tribune Wired Food and Beverages (1.2k total votes, 1.1k startups) Food and Beverages Winner: Clickmenu Winner: Clickmenu Clickmenu Relocalize
Atome Bakery Relocalize Relocalize Atome Bakery Atome Bakery Honorable Mentions: Honorable Mentions: Desfase
MTG FOODS
Sprout Dynamics
Foodflows
FRENCH BLOOM
Plant Origin
Noba Africa Desfase Desfase MTG FOODS MTG FOODS Sprout Dynamics Sprout Dynamics Foodflows Foodflows FRENCH BLOOM FRENCH BLOOM Plant Origin Plant Origin Noba Africa Noba Africa Congratulations to you all! We will contact you with details on how to claim your winnings! Congratulations to you all! We will contact you with details on how to claim your winnings! Congratulations to you all! We will contact you with details on how to claim your winnings! See the global regional announcements here.
See the global industry announcements here. See the global regional announcements here.
See the global industry announcements here. See the global regional announcements here. here See the global industry announcements here. here About HackerNoon’s Startups of The Year Startups of The Year 2024 is HackerNoon’s flagship community-driven event celebrating startups, technology, and the spirit of innovation. Currently in its third iteration, the prestigious Internet award recognizes and celebrates tech startups of all shapes and sizes. This year, over 150,000 entities across 4200+ cities, 6 continents, and 100+ industries participated in a bid to be crowned the best startup of the year! Millions of votes have been cast over the past few years, and many storieshave been written about these daring and rising startups. Startups of The Year 2024 many stories The winners will get a free interview on HackerNoon and an Evergreen Tech Company News page. free interview Evergreen Tech Company News Visit our FAQ page to learn more. FAQ Download our design assets here. here Check out the Startups of The Year Merch Shop here. here HackerNoon’s Startups of The Year is a branding opportunity unlike any other. Whether your goal is brand awareness or lead generation, HackerNoon has curated packages to solve your marketing challenges. Book a meeting with us to learn more! curated packages Book a meeting with us to learn more! Book a meeting with us to learn more! Meet our sponsors: Meet our sponsors: Wellfound: Join the #1 global, startup-focused community. At Wellfound, we're not just a job board—we're the place where top startup talent and the world's most exciting companies connect to build the future. Wellfound: Join the #1 global, startup-focused community Notion: Notion is trusted and loved by thousands of startups as their connected workspace—from building product roadmaps to tracking fundraising. Try Notion with unlimited AI, FREE for up to 6 months, to build and scale your company with one powerful tool.Get your offer now! Notion: Try Notion with unlimited AI, FREE for up to 6 months Get your offer now ! Hubspot: If you’re looking for a smart CRM platform that meets the needs of small businesses, look no further than HubSpot. Seamlessly connect your data, teams and customers in one easy-to-use scalable platform that grows with your business. Get started for free. Hubspot: Get started for free Bright Data: Startups that leverage public web data can make faster, data-driven decisions, giving them a competitive edge. With Bright Data’s scalable web data collection, businesses can grow from a small operation to an enterprise by harnessing insights at every stage. Bright Data: Bright Data’s scalable web data collection Algolia: Algolia NeuralSearch is the world's only AI end-to-end Search and Discovery Platform combining powerful keyword and natural language processing in a single API. Algolia: AI end-to-end Search and Discovery Platform

Startups of The Year 2024 Winners: Commerce

Startups van die Jaar 2024 Winnaars: Handel

የ 2024 ዓመት የ startups ተጫዋቾች: የንግድ

Стартовете на годината 2024 Победители: Търговия

Startupy roku 2024 Vítězové: Obchod

Startups del Año 2024 Ganadores: Comercio

Az év 2024-es induló vállalkozásainak nyertesei: Kereskedelem

Startups of the Year 2024 Winners: ビジネス

Startups of the Year 2024 우승자 : 무역

Startups на годината 2024 Победници: трговија

2024-ийн Startups Шагнагч: Бизнесийн

२०२४ सालको स्टार्टअप विजेता: व्यापार

Startups of the Year 2024 Победители: Торговля

Innovation Has No Boundaries — Meet the Champion Industries of Startups of The Year 2024

الابتكار لا تحتوي على الحدود - تعاقدت مع الصناعات الفاخرة للشركات الناشئة في عام 2024

Інновацыі не маюць межаў — знаёмства з чэмпіёнамі прамысловасці стартапаў 2024 года

Η καινοτομία δεν έχει σύνορα – Γνωρίστε τις πρωτοπόρες βιομηχανίες των νεοσύστατων επιχειρήσεων του 2024

La innovación no tiene fronteras - Conoce las industrias campeonas de las startups del año 2024

नवाचार कोई सीमा नहीं है - वर्ष 2024 के स्टार्टअप चैंपियन उद्योगों से मिलें

イノベーションには国境がない―2024年のスタートアップのチャンピオン産業に出会う

Иновациите немаат граници – Запознајте ги шампионските индустрии на стартапи во 2024 година

यो बर्ष महानगरको अभियान — सम्पदा संरक्षण तथा सम्बर्धन, पर्यटन प्रवर्धनका लागि पूर्वाधार Next Post

Инновации не имеют границ — познакомьтесь с чемпионскими отраслями стартапов 2024 года

Иновације немају границе – упознајте шампионске индустрије стартапа 2024. године

Innovation haina mipaka - Kukutana na viwanda vya kushinda ya Startups ya Mwaka 2024

创新没有界限 - 满足2024年初创企业冠军行业

Router Protocol is pleased to announce that it has completed an oversubscribed strategic funding round with participation from prominent crypto angels and funds. The primary goal of the strategic round was to thoughtfully expand Router's cap table with crypto operators who deeply understand the importance of cross-chain infrastructure and can accelerate the ecosystem growth as Router evolves into a Layer 1 blockchain. Router Protocol is honored to welcome an exceptional group of accomplished founders and web3 executives as angels and advisors, including Keone Hon (Monad), Parker Jou (Caldera), Amrit Kumar (Altlayer), Aniket (Biconomy), Anurag Arjun (Avail), Amitej (Stader), Ravindra (Frontier), and several others. In a testament to the unwavering belief in its vision, Router Protocol also received overwhelming support from existing investors, including heavyweight players such as Wintermute Ventures, Woodstock, DeFi Capital, CryptoBanter, RavenDAO, and Luganodes. Other renowned advisors and angels include Zaki Manian (Sommelier/Cosmos), Ajit Tripathi (@chainyoda), Gokul Rajaram (Google/Doordash), and Surojit Chatterjee (Coinbase, Google, Flipkart, EMA). The proceeds from this funding round will be deployed strategically to fuel the development and highly anticipated launch of the Router Chain mainnet. Router Chain is set to revolutionize value transfer by abstracting away blockchain complexity and unlocking a new era of frictionless cross-chain applications and user experiences. "Router Chain embodies the evolution of our unwavering vision to build the universal interconnectivity layer between fragmented L1/L2 networks," said Ramani Ramachandran, CEO of Router Protocol. "By abstracting away blockchain complexity, we are laser-focused on delivering the most seamless and intuitive user and developer experience for multi-chain applications. This funding round propels us closer to realising this transformative vision." Router Protocol’s mantra has always been "developers first." Its mission is to empower builders to focus on bringing their groundbreaking ideas to life, rather than grappling with infrastructure complexities. Router Chain will provide a robust suite of flexible interoperability primitives, including its innovative cross-chain intent framework and developer-friendly toolkits, to make this vision a reality. "We are thrilled to witness the rapid expansion of our ecosystem, with trailblazing cross-chain projects like StakeEase, FolioX, and many more leveraging our interoperability primitives to push the boundaries of what's possible," said Shubham Singh, CTO of Router Protocol. In a major milestone, Router Protocol launched Router Nitro, a super-fast, gas-efficient, intent-based cross-chain bridge powered by an innovative reverse-verification mechanism. Nitro Bridge crossed $350M volume in the past 4 months, over 650K+ transactions, and almost 300K unique users. To further accelerate ecosystem growth, Router Protocol is thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of the Router Ecosystem Grants Program, which will provide substantial financial support and resources to promising projects building on Router Chain. Moreover, the project’s recently revamped tokenomics empowers it to aggressively focus on community engagement, ecosystem expansion, and the promotion of exciting new cross-chain primitives that will redefine the landscape of interoperability. The oversubscribed round demonstrates the demand for high-value web3 infrastructure and marks a crucial step in Router's maturation from a bridge solution to a core Web3 connecting layer. Backing from this expanded group of partners will aid in evangelizing Router's vision and unique value proposition to a global audience. Router Protocol is pleased to announce that it has completed an oversubscribed strategic funding round with participation from prominent crypto angels and funds. Router Protocol is pleased to announce that it has completed an oversubscribed strategic funding round with participation from prominent crypto angels and funds. The primary goal of the strategic round was to thoughtfully expand Router's cap table with crypto operators who deeply understand the importance of cross-chain infrastructure and can accelerate the ecosystem growth as Router evolves into a Layer 1 blockchain. Router Protocol is honored to welcome an exceptional group of accomplished founders and web3 executives as angels and advisors, including Keone Hon (Monad), Parker Jou (Caldera), Amrit Kumar (Altlayer), Aniket (Biconomy), Anurag Arjun (Avail), Amitej (Stader), Ravindra (Frontier), and several others. In a testament to the unwavering belief in its vision, Router Protocol also received overwhelming support from existing investors, including heavyweight players such as Wintermute Ventures, Woodstock, DeFi Capital, CryptoBanter, RavenDAO, and Luganodes. Other renowned advisors and angels include Zaki Manian (Sommelier/Cosmos), Ajit Tripathi (@chainyoda), Gokul Rajaram (Google/Doordash), and Surojit Chatterjee (Coinbase, Google, Flipkart, EMA). The proceeds from this funding round will be deployed strategically to fuel the development and highly anticipated launch of the Router Chain mainnet. Router Chain is set to revolutionize value transfer by abstracting away blockchain complexity and unlocking a new era of frictionless cross-chain applications and user experiences. "Router Chain embodies the evolution of our unwavering vision to build the universal interconnectivity layer between fragmented L1/L2 networks," said Ramani Ramachandran, CEO of Router Protocol. "By abstracting away blockchain complexity, we are laser-focused on delivering the most seamless and intuitive user and developer experience for multi-chain applications. This funding round propels us closer to realising this transformative vision." Router Protocol’s mantra has always been "developers first." Its mission is to empower builders to focus on bringing their groundbreaking ideas to life, rather than grappling with infrastructure complexities. Router Chain will provide a robust suite of flexible interoperability primitives, including its innovative cross-chain intent framework and developer-friendly toolkits, to make this vision a reality. "We are thrilled to witness the rapid expansion of our ecosystem, with trailblazing cross-chain projects like StakeEase, FolioX, and many more leveraging our interoperability primitives to push the boundaries of what's possible," said Shubham Singh, CTO of Router Protocol. In a major milestone, Router Protocol launched Router Nitro, a super-fast, gas-efficient, intent-based cross-chain bridge powered by an innovative reverse-verification mechanism. Nitro Bridge crossed $350M volume in the past 4 months, over 650K+ transactions, and almost 300K unique users. To further accelerate ecosystem growth, Router Protocol is thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of the Router Ecosystem Grants Program, which will provide substantial financial support and resources to promising projects building on Router Chain. Moreover, the project’s recently revamped tokenomics empowers it to aggressively focus on community engagement, ecosystem expansion, and the promotion of exciting new cross-chain primitives that will redefine the landscape of interoperability. The oversubscribed round demonstrates the demand for high-value web3 infrastructure and marks a crucial step in Router's maturation from a bridge solution to a core Web3 connecting layer. Backing from this expanded group of partners will aid in evangelizing Router's vision and unique value proposition to a global audience.

Router Protocol Completes Oversubscribed Strategic Funding Round

রাউটার প্রোটোকল ওভারসাবস্ক্রাইবড স্ট্র্যাটেজিক ফান্ডিং রাউন্ড সম্পূর্ণ করে

Router Protocol schließt überzeichnete strategische Finanzierungsrunde ab

Router Protocol completa una ronda de financiación estratégica con exceso de suscripción

Le protocole de routeur finalise un cycle de financement stratégique sursouscrit

राउटर प्रोटोकॉल ने ओवरसब्सक्राइब्ड रणनीतिक फंडिंग राउंड पूरा किया

ルータープロトコル、募集額超過の戦略的資金調達ラウンドを完了

라우터 프로토콜, 초과 구독된 전략적 자금 조달 라운드 완료

Router Protocol conclui rodada de financiamento estratégico com excesso de inscrições

Router Protocol завершает раунд стратегического финансирования переподписки

Yönlendirici Protokolü Aşırı Abone Olunan Stratejik Finansman Turunu Tamamladı

Giao thức bộ định tuyến hoàn thành vòng tài trợ chiến lược được đăng ký vượt mức

路由器协议完成超额认购的战略融资轮

I fell in love with the Pixelbook about two months ago. I saw a coworker at Google using one, and I was immediately impressed by its extreme thinness. The Pixelbook is as thin as two USB-C ports stacked. Why hadn’t I paid any attention to such a beautiful device until now? The Forgotten Chromebook Chromebooks were first announced in 2011, and I admit I ignorantly dismissed them as cheap laptops that constantly relied on internet connectivity. This sentiment made me ignore most of the updates released by Google for years. Also, as a Windows Phone user, and later as an iPhone user, my laptop aspirations were better covered by the ecosystem integrations that a Surface or an iPad could offer. The last time I owned a laptop was in summer 2018. Back then, I owned a Surface Book, but it was chunky and not very easy to travel with. My needs for a personal laptop were also very simple –they still are–, which made me wonder if I could survive with just a tablet. When I switched to an iPad Pro as my main computer in late 2018, I wrote: “A vast majority of customers have simple needs when it comes to technology, and they expect equally simple solutions to their problems. Most users want a computer for editing or creating text documents, browsing the web, responding to emails, watching movies,” and I still think that’s true today. For years, I used the iPad Pro with a Smart Keyboard Folio as my only personal device, even after switching from iPhone to Pixel! I’d use the iPad to write blog posts on Google Docs, stream movies during flights, read articles on the web, watch YouTube videos, etc. Unlike a traditional laptop, the iPad felt limited at times, particularly when browsing the web. Many websites, especially those from financial institutions and airlines, default to the mobile version even when I specifically request the desktop site. Some other websites directly force me to open the mobile app, preventing me from using the browser at all. This constant struggle for a full desktop experience ultimately led me back to wanting a laptop. Enter Pixelbook Last April, when my coworker took his Pixelbook out of his bag, my first thought was: “Wow, that’s a thin laptop.” I dimly recall Google announcing it in 2017, but I did not pay much attention to it. Looking at it now, I couldn’t avoid thinking that I hadn’t seen such a portable laptop that also looked this good in a while. The combination of aluminum and glass accents, the symmetry in its squared body, and its consistent thickness throughout the whole fanless chassis, all make the Pixelbook the sexiest Chromebook ever made, even seven years after its release. Trying to get over the attractive looks, I remember thinking that ChromeOS was not a really good fit for me when it came out. But what about now? I felt very ignorant, not knowing what changes ChromeOS had announced in the past few years, so I did some research. It turns out that ChromeOS has changed a lot since its debut, and Chromebooks can be very capable laptops. Especially after last year’s Chromebook Plus program, which introduced a new generation of laptops with cutting-edge hardware, ready for the AI era. But what about the Pixelbook? Can it still handle the latest ChromeOS version? After all, Google introduced the Pixelbook as a premium device with beefed-up 2017 specs: a 7th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD, for a whooping retail price of $1,649. I pleasantly discovered that the Pixelbook went through a program that Google introduced to extend software updates for certain Chromebooks. As a result, it expanded its “Auto Update Expiration” date until August 2027. That’s a full decade after its announcement; three more years to go! Let’s just say I was eager to find a reason to get one. Then I discovered that Android phones integrate seamlessly with ChromeOS: the Pixelbook can stream apps from my Pixel onto a floating window, without having to install the app on the laptop, and it can access recent pictures that I took, or Chrome tabs that I have opened on my Pixel. I was convinced. But since Google stopped selling the product in 2020, I had to figure out how to get one. A Seven-Year-Old Jewel Getting a discontinued laptop is easy if you don’t mind scuffs, marks, scratches, or poorly-removed stickers. Fortunately, I found a seller on Amazon that sells renewed top-of-the-line Pixelbooks in “excellent” condition for $335. When mine arrived a few days later, I could not believe my luck. I got a Pixelbook that had been barely used, with 95% battery health and only 38 charging cycles. Setting it up was easy, even as a newbie in the ChromeOS world. After logging in with my Google Account, the Pixelbook has quickly become a familiar laptop, giving me immediate access to all my files, pictures, contacts, emails, calendar, bookmarks, and basically everything I need. It feels like the Google equivalent of logging in on a Surface with a Microsoft Account, or on a MacBook with an Apple ID: seamless access to all your services. Streaming apps on the Pixelbook is as easy and intuitive as it sounds. I don’t have to think about which apps should be installed; I already have access to all the apps from my Pixel. I nonetheless love being able to use the Google Play Store. I installed video apps like Netflix, Prime Video, or Plex so that I can download content for offline viewing. To sweeten the deal, I also bought a Pixelbook Pen, which originally sold for $99. I was curious to see how the 10 ms drawing latency felt using 2017 technology, and I found a new Pen for $25, in a sealed box! I don’t expect to use it too frequently, but it’s nice to know that I can use it to sketch or hand-write when I flip the Pixelbook into tablet mode. ChromeOS also includes a built-in Linux environment, allowing users to run desktop applications, command line tools, and code editors. I enabled it to install GIMP, a free and open-source graphics editor used for image manipulation and editing. But not everything is great. The Pixelbook’s screen bezels are so big that they look out of place even among other 2017 laptops. Even with all its then-top-tier specs, the Pixelbook won’t be getting some of the exclusive AI features reserved for Chromebook Plus devices, automatically making it fall behind the competition. If we take into account that the Pixelbook will stop updating in a little over three years, one could argue that the laptop cannot even compete anymore. Hope for the Future The improvements of the past seven years have focused on updating internal hardware specs to support new software features without any hiccups. But product design hasn’t been a priority for most Chromebook manufacturers. I tried looking for any other Chromebook that could rival the Pixelbook’s design, and I found nothing as elegant, timeless, and well-built. Even today’s most expensive Chromebook Plus laptops seem to fall behind my Pixelbook’s unique looks. The versatility, up-to-date smarts, and premium feeling of the Pixelbook, coupled with its current low price point, make it an amazing low-cost Chromebook in 2024. I’m truly enjoying using the Pixelbook. It has brought back the joy of writing on a laptop, without missing the tablet experience. But I’m sad that there isn’t a clear successor. Is there space for premium Chromebooks in such a competitive market? Will we ever see a Pixelbook 2? I hope we get an answer within the three years of life left in this beauty. Did you like this article? Subscribe to get new posts by email. I fell in love with the Pixelbook about two months ago. I saw a coworker at Google using one, and I was immediately impressed by its extreme thinness. The Pixelbook is as thin as two USB-C ports stacked. Why hadn’t I paid any attention to such a beautiful device until now? The Forgotten Chromebook The Forgotten Chromebook Chromebooks were first announced in 2011, and I admit I ignorantly dismissed them as cheap laptops that constantly relied on internet connectivity. This sentiment made me ignore most of the updates released by Google for years. Also, as a Windows Phone user, and later as an iPhone user, my laptop aspirations were better covered by the ecosystem integrations that a Surface or an iPad could offer. The last time I owned a laptop was in summer 2018. Back then, I owned a Surface Book, but it was chunky and not very easy to travel with. My needs for a personal laptop were also very simple –they still are–, which made me wonder if I could survive with just a tablet. When I switched to an iPad Pro as my main computer in late 2018, I wrote: “ A vast majority of customers have simple needs when it comes to technology, and they expect equally simple solutions to their problems. Most users want a computer for editing or creating text documents, browsing the web, responding to emails, watching movies, ” and I still think that’s true today. switched to an iPad Pro as my main computer A vast majority of customers have simple needs when it comes to technology, and they expect equally simple solutions to their problems. Most users want a computer for editing or creating text documents, browsing the web, responding to emails, watching movies, For years, I used the iPad Pro with a Smart Keyboard Folio as my only personal device, even after switching from iPhone to Pixel! I’d use the iPad to write blog posts on Google Docs, stream movies during flights, read articles on the web, watch YouTube videos, etc. Unlike a traditional laptop, the iPad felt limited at times, particularly when browsing the web. Many websites, especially those from financial institutions and airlines, default to the mobile version even when I specifically request the desktop site. Some other websites directly force me to open the mobile app, preventing me from using the browser at all. This constant struggle for a full desktop experience ultimately led me back to wanting a laptop. Enter Pixelbook Enter Pixelbook Last April, when my coworker took his Pixelbook out of his bag, my first thought was: “ Wow, that’s a thin laptop. ” I dimly recall Google announcing it in 2017, but I did not pay much attention to it. Wow, that’s a thin laptop. Looking at it now, I couldn’t avoid thinking that I hadn’t seen such a portable laptop that also looked this good in a while. The combination of aluminum and glass accents, the symmetry in its squared body, and its consistent thickness throughout the whole fanless chassis, all make the Pixelbook the sexiest Chromebook ever made, even seven years after its release. Trying to get over the attractive looks, I remember thinking that ChromeOS was not a really good fit for me when it came out. But what about now? I felt very ignorant, not knowing what changes ChromeOS had announced in the past few years, so I did some research. It turns out that ChromeOS has changed a lot since its debut, and Chromebooks can be very capable laptops. Especially after last year’s Chromebook Plus program, which introduced a new generation of laptops with cutting-edge hardware, ready for the AI era. But what about the Pixelbook? Can it still handle the latest ChromeOS version? After all, Google introduced the Pixelbook as a premium device with beefed-up 2017 specs: a 7th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD, for a whooping retail price of $1,649. I pleasantly discovered that the Pixelbook went through a program that Google introduced to extend software updates for certain Chromebooks. As a result, it expanded its “Auto Update Expiration” date until August 2027. That’s a full decade after its announcement; three more years to go! Let’s just say I was eager to find a reason to get one. Then I discovered that Android phones integrate seamlessly with ChromeOS: the Pixelbook can stream apps from my Pixel onto a floating window, without having to install the app on the laptop, and it can access recent pictures that I took, or Chrome tabs that I have opened on my Pixel. I was convinced. But since Google stopped selling the product in 2020, I had to figure out how to get one. A Seven-Year-Old Jewel A Seven-Year-Old Jewel Getting a discontinued laptop is easy if you don’t mind scuffs, marks, scratches, or poorly-removed stickers. Fortunately, I found a seller on Amazon that sells renewed top-of-the-line Pixelbooks in “excellent” condition for $335. When mine arrived a few days later, I could not believe my luck. I got a Pixelbook that had been barely used, with 95% battery health and only 38 charging cycles. Setting it up was easy, even as a newbie in the ChromeOS world. After logging in with my Google Account, the Pixelbook has quickly become a familiar laptop, giving me immediate access to all my files, pictures, contacts, emails, calendar, bookmarks, and basically everything I need. It feels like the Google equivalent of logging in on a Surface with a Microsoft Account, or on a MacBook with an Apple ID: seamless access to all your services. Streaming apps on the Pixelbook is as easy and intuitive as it sounds. I don’t have to think about which apps should be installed; I already have access to all the apps from my Pixel. I nonetheless love being able to use the Google Play Store. I installed video apps like Netflix, Prime Video, or Plex so that I can download content for offline viewing. To sweeten the deal, I also bought a Pixelbook Pen, which originally sold for $99. I was curious to see how the 10 ms drawing latency felt using 2017 technology, and I found a new Pen for $25, in a sealed box! I don’t expect to use it too frequently, but it’s nice to know that I can use it to sketch or hand-write when I flip the Pixelbook into tablet mode. ChromeOS also includes a built-in Linux environment, allowing users to run desktop applications, command line tools, and code editors. I enabled it to install GIMP, a free and open-source graphics editor used for image manipulation and editing. But not everything is great. The Pixelbook’s screen bezels are so big that they look out of place even among other 2017 laptops. Even with all its then-top-tier specs, the Pixelbook won’t be getting some of the exclusive AI features reserved for Chromebook Plus devices, automatically making it fall behind the competition. If we take into account that the Pixelbook will stop updating in a little over three years, one could argue that the laptop cannot even compete anymore. Hope for the Future Hope for the Future The improvements of the past seven years have focused on updating internal hardware specs to support new software features without any hiccups. But product design hasn’t been a priority for most Chromebook manufacturers. I tried looking for any other Chromebook that could rival the Pixelbook’s design, and I found nothing as elegant, timeless, and well-built. Even today’s most expensive Chromebook Plus laptops seem to fall behind my Pixelbook’s unique looks. The versatility, up-to-date smarts, and premium feeling of the Pixelbook, coupled with its current low price point, make it an amazing low-cost Chromebook in 2024. I’m truly enjoying using the Pixelbook. It has brought back the joy of writing on a laptop, without missing the tablet experience. But I’m sad that there isn’t a clear successor. Is there space for premium Chromebooks in such a competitive market? Will we ever see a Pixelbook 2? I hope we get an answer within the three years of life left in this beauty. Did you like this article? Subscribe to get new posts by email. Did you like this article? Subscribe to get new posts by email. Subscribe

The Ultimate Chromebook Revival for 2024: Enter Pixelbook

Imagine we're stepping into a sci-fi movie, but it's real life. That's the vibe at SXSW sessions, where tomorrow's ideas feel like they're unfolding today. In one of the first talks I caught at SXSW this year, , the big boss at MIT Technology Review, laid out a list of ten tech breakthroughs. She's betting these will seriously shake up our daily lives and how we work. Elizabeth Bramson-Boudreau Here's the scoop on what made her list: It's like AI's about to be in everything we touch. AI for Everything: Think sun power on steroids. Super Efficient Solar Panels: This one got everyone buzzing. ( or advertising..) Apple Vision Pro: No gym? No problem, maybe. Weight Loss Medicines: It's about getting cozy with Earth's heat. Advanced Geothermal Systems: But not the snack kind. Chips: Sounds like sci-fi, but it's real. First Gene Editing Therapy: Big word, even bigger deal. Exascale Computers: They're hot, literally. Heat Pumps: After Elon Musk stirred the pot with X, new social networks are popping up trying to take the throne. Twitter Killers: What Are Exascale Computers? These beasts can do a quintillion operations per second. Yes, that's a lot of zeros. Elizabeth thinks these computers will change the game for everyone, not just the science folks. Imagine cracking problems or discovering stuff that seemed out of reach before. She believes we'll see how these computers can be more accessible to regular folks soon. The Brave New Future of the Recent Past from the kicked off a and a chat about how our stories, especially . It's all about the power of storytelling and finding new ways to talk about artificial intelligence that matters to us as people. Brent Reidy New York Public Library session with a throwback to Plato around AI, need a fresh, human-centered twist The next day, I caught a keynote with , aka and These guys are the brains behind which won seven Oscars. They discussed why they make films and how storytelling is core to being human. The Daniels Daniel Scheinert Daniel Kwan. "Everything Everywhere All at Once," Kwan shared his unease about AI in filmmaking, hinting at excitement and worry about what's to come. The Brave New Future of the Recent Past 's dive into Plato's cave allegory at SXSW wasn't just a trip back to Philosophy 101. It turned out to be a sneak peek into a theme I'd bump into repeatedly at the event: the sheer power of storytelling. Especially the kind we need right now about AI—stories about us, the humans, at the heart of it all. Brent Reidy This moment was like a heads-up that at SXSW, amidst all the tech talk, there's this big conversation about how we tell stories in the age of artificial intelligence. And it's not just any stories, but those that zoom in on the human experience, making sure we're not just talking tech for tech's sake but connecting it to what it means for us, living in this world, right here, right now. The Rise of Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) Even though the idea of a wearable device that processes the electrical signals in your brain and spits out real-time data might still feel like a page ripped from a sci-fi novel, we're seeing this tech grow leaps and bounds every single day. And now, it's inching closer to becoming something we might see in the market, not just in movies. During a session at SXSW, Adam Molnar from Neurable shared how they're crafting headsets equipped with BCI tech. These aren't your average headsets, though. They're designed to track how focused you are on a task. The cool part? They might even help you improve at focusing, theoretically teaching us how to tune into what we're doing with laser precision. "Your Brain in Artificial Intelligence: Neurotech's New Horizons" Adam dished out details about these demo headsets that haven't hit the shelves yet, expressing his strong belief that BCI gadgets will be part of our everyday lives pretty soon. This is a hint that the future of how we interact with our devices, and maybe even how we understand our own brains, is about to shift in a big way. AI Isn't a Usurper of Human Creativity; it's a Compliment That Enriches it. In an invigorating exploration of the intersection between artificial intelligence and marketing, I had the pleasure of moderating a panel titled in Austin. The session was with marketers Justin Day and Anne Ahola Ward. "Marketing to Humans in an AI World" at SXSW 2024 Our discussion explored AI's transformative impact on marketing, unwrapping layers of how this technology reshapes strategies, content creation, customer engagement, and more. The panelists shared insights, shedding light on how AI tools, like the , demonstrated, are revolutionizing the way marketing agencies craft presentations, proposals, websites, or visuals. Companies, in turn, are encouraged to foster an environment of learning and experimentation, allowing their teams to engage with these 'new tools’ and unlock their full potential. Gamma app SXSW’24 Startup Pitching Competition Watching the SXSW Pitch 2024, presented by KPMG, was a real treat. The place was packed. This year, the big themes among the showcased innovations were artificial intelligence integration, industry-specific solutions, and projects focused on sustainability and environmental impact. The competition was international, with startups from Belgium, Britain, Estonia, France, Israel, the Netherlands, South Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Category Winners: AI, Robotics, and Voice: Gan.ai (San Francisco, CA)
Enterprise and Smart Data: Swif.ai (Santa Clara, CA)
Entertainment, Media, and Content: OpusClip (Redwood City, CA)
Extended Reality and Web3: Applix (Austin, TX)
Food, Nutrition, and Health: STMPatch (Storrs, CT)
Future of Work: Folio.works (Oakland, CA)
Innovative World Technologies: Cephable (Boston, MA)
Smart Cities, Transportation, and Logistics: Lotus (San Jose, CA)
Student Startup: Paradigm Robotics (Austin, TX) "Best in Show" at the SXSW Pitch 2024, went to OpusClip. Winners bagged a cash prize and earned two badges for next year's SXSW conference. However, perhaps the biggest win was the chance to present to a massive audience of SXSW attendees and potential investors. From 2009 to 2023, over 93% of the 647 companies participating in the SXSW Pitch have secured around $23.2 billion (excluding undisclosed grants, angel, and seed funding). SXSW 2024 once again proved it's more than just a tech and innovation event; it's a preview of tomorrow that already has us all buzzing about next year. And for those already looking forward to the next chapter, mark your calendars: SXSW 2025 is set for March 7-15, 2025. It's never too early to start planning for another round of inspiring discussions and groundbreaking ideas! Also published here

Step Towards Sci-Fi: AI and BCI Insights From SXSW

CATALOGUE OF THE WORKS OF LEONARDO DA VINCI.

THE LIFE OF LEONARDO DA VINCI.

A Treatise on Painting by da Vinci Leonardo, is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. You can jump to any chapter in this book . PREFACE TO THE PRESENT TRANSLATION. here PREFACE TO THE PRESENT TRANSLATION. The excellence of the following Treatise is so well known to all in any tolerable degree conversant with the Art of Painting, that it would be almost superfluous to say any thing respecting it, were it not that it here appears under the form of a new translation, of which some account may be expected. Of the original Work, which is in reality a selection from the voluminous manuscript collections of the Author, both in folio and quarto, of all such passages as related to Painting, no edition appeared in print till 1651, though its Author died so long before as the year 1519; and it is owing to the circumstance of a manuscript copy of these extracts in the original Italian, having fallen into the hands of Raphael du Fresne; that in the former of these years it was published at Paris in a thin folio volume in that language, accompanied with a set of cuts from the drawings of Nicolo Poussin, and Alberti; the former having designed the human figures, the latter the geometrical and other representations. This precaution was probably necessary, the sketches in the Author’s own collections being so very slight as not to be fit for publication without further assistance. Poussin’s drawings were mere outlines, and the shadows and back-grounds behind the figures were added by Errard, after the drawings had been made, and, as Poussin himself says, without his knowledge. In the same year, and size, and printed at the same place, a translation of the original work into French was given to the world by Monsieur de Chambray (well known, under his family name of Freart, as the author of an excellent Parallel of ancient and modern Architecture, in French, which Mr. Evelyn translated into English). The style of this translation by Mons. de Chambray, being thought, some years after, too antiquated, some one was employed to revise and modernise it; and in 1716 a new edition of it, thus polished, came out, of which it may be truly said, as is in general the case on such occasions, that whatever the supposed advantage obtained in purity and refinement of language might be, it was more than counterbalanced by the want of the more valuable qualities of accuracy, and fidelity to the original, from which, by these variations, it became further removed. The first translation of this Treatise into English, appeared in the year 1721. It does not declare by whom it was made; but though it professes to have been done from the original Italian, it is evident, upon a comparison, that more use was made of the revised edition of the French translation. Indifferent, however, as it is, it had become so scarce, and risen to a price so extravagant, that, to supply the demand, it was found necessary, in the year 1796, to reprint it as it stood, with all its errors on its head, no opportunity then offering of procuring a fresh translation. This last impression, however, being now also disposed of, and a new one again called for, the present Translator was induced to step forward, and undertake the office of fresh translating it, on finding, by comparing the former versions both in French and English with the original, many passages which he thought might at once be more concisely and more faithfully rendered. His object, therefore, has been to attain these ends, and as rules and precepts like the present allow but little room for the decorations of style, he has been more solicitous for fidelity, perspicuity, and precision, than for smooth sentences, and well-turned periods. Nor was this the only advantage which it was found the present opportunity would afford; for the original work consisting in fact of a number of entries made at different times, without any regard to their subjects, or attention to method, might rather in that state be considered as a chaos of intelligence, than a well-digested treatise. It has now, therefore, for the first time, been attempted to place each chapter under the proper head or branch of the art to which it belongs; and by so doing, to bring together those which (though related and nearly connected in substance) stood, according to the original arrangement, at such a distance from each other as to make it troublesome to find them even by the assistance of an index; and difficult, when found, to compare them together. The consequence of this plan, it must be confessed, has been, that in a few instances the same precept has been found in substance repeated; but this is so far from being an objection, that it evidently proves the precepts were not the hasty opinions of the moment, but settled and fixed principles in the mind of the Author, and that he was consistent in the expression of his sentiments. But if this mode of arrangement has in the present case disclosed what might have escaped observation, it has also been productive of more material advantages; for, besides facilitating the finding of any particular passage (an object in itself of no small importance), it clearly shews the work to be a much more complete system than those best acquainted with it, had before any idea of, and that many of the references in it apparently to other writings of the same Author, relate in fact only to the present, the chapters referred to having been found in it. These are now pointed out in the notes, and where any obscurity has occurred in the text, the reader will find some assistance at least attempted by the insertion of a note to solve the difficulty. No pains or expense have been spared in preparing the present work for the press. The cuts have been re-engraven with more attention to correctness in the drawing, than those which accompanied the two editions of the former English translation possessed (even though they had been fresh engraven for the impression of 1796); and the diagrams are now inserted in their proper places in the text, instead of being, as before, collected all together in two plates at the end. Besides this, a new Life of the Author has been also added by a Friend of the Translator, the materials for which have been furnished, not from vague reports, or uncertain conjectures, but from memoranda of the Author himself, not before used. Fortunately for this undertaking, the manuscript collections of Leonardo da Vinci, which have lately passed from Italy into France, have, since their removal thither, been carefully inspected, and an abstract of their contents published in a quarto pamphlet, printed at Paris in 1797, and intitled, “Essai sur les Ouvrages physico-mathematiques de Leonard de Vinci;” by J. B. Venturi, Professor of Natural Philosophy at Modena; a Member of the Institute of Bologna, &c. From this pamphlet a great deal of original intelligence respecting the Author has been obtained, which, derived as it is from his own information, could not possibly be founded on better evidence. To this Life we shall refer the reader for a further account of the origin and history of the present Treatise, conceiving we have already effected our purpose, by here giving him a sufficient idea of what he is to expect from the ensuing pages. About HackerNoon Book Series: We bring you the most important technical, scientific, and insightful public domain books. This book is part of the public domain. da Vinci Leonardo (2014). A Treatise on Painting. Urbana, Illinois: Project Gutenberg. Retrieved https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/46915/pg46915-images.html This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at , located at . www.gutenberg.org https://www.gutenberg.org/policy/license.html

PREFACE TO THE PRESENT TRANSLATION.

On the Economy of Machinery and Manufactures by Charles Babbage is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. You can jump to any chapter in this book . On the Division of Labour here Chapter 20. On the Division of Labour We have already mentioned what may, perhaps, appear paradoxical to some of our readers that the division of labour can be applied with equal success to mental as to mechanical operations, and that it ensures in both the same economy of time. A short account of its practical application, in the most extensive series of calculations ever executed, will offer an interesting illustration of this fact, whilst at the same time it will afford an occasion for shewing that the arrangements which ought to regulate the interior economy of a manufactory, are founded on principles of deeper root than may have been supposed, and are capable of being usefully employed in preparing the road to some of the sublimest investigations of the human mind. In the midst of that excitement which accompanied the Revolution of France and the succeeding wars, the ambition of the nation, unexhausted by its fatal passion for military renown, was at the same time directed to some of the nobler and more permanent triumphs which mark the era of a people's greatness and which receive the applause of posterity long after their conquests have been wrested from them, or even when their existence as a nation may be told only by the page of history. Amongst their enterprises of science, the French Government was desirous of producing a series of mathematical tables, to facilitate the application of the decimal system which they had so recently adopted. They directed, therefore, their mathematicians to construct such tables, on the most extensive scale. Their most distinguished philosophers, responding fully to the call of their country, invented new methods for this laborious task; and a work, completely answering the large demands of the Government, was produced in a remarkably short period of time. M. Prony, to whom the superintendence of this great undertaking was confided, in speaking of its commencement, observes: Je m'y livrai avec toute l'ardeur dont j'etois capable, et je m'occupai d'abord du plan general de l'execution. Toutes les conditions que j'avois a remplir necessitoient l'emploi d'un grand nombre de calculateurs; et il me vint bientot a la pensee d'appliquer a la connection de ces Tables la division du travail, dont les Arts de Commerce tirent un parti si avantageux pour reunir a la pernection de main-d'oeuvre l'economie de la depense et du temps. The circumstance which gave rise to this singular application of the principle of the division on labour is so interesting, that no apology is necessary for introducing it from a small pamphlet printed at Paris a few years since, when a proposition was made by the English to the French Government, that the two countries should print these tables at their joint expense. The origin of the idea is related in the following extract: C'est a un chapitre d'un ouvrage Anglais,(1*) justement celebre, (I.) qu'est probablement due l'existence de l'ouvrage dont le gouvernement Britannique veut faire jouir le monde savant: Voici l'anecdote: M. de Prony s'etait engage. avec les comites de gouvernement. a composer pour la division centesimale du cercle, des tables logarithmiques et trigonometriques, qui, non seulement ne laissassent rien a desirer quant a l'exactitude, mais qui formassent le monument de calcul 1e plus vaste et le plus imposant qui eut jamais ete execute, ou meme concu. Les logarithmes des nombres de 1 a 200.000 formaient a ce travail un supplement necessaire et exige. Il fut aise a M. de Prony de s'assurer que meme en s'associant trois ou quatre habiles co-operateurs. La plus grande duree presumable de sa vie ne lui sufirai pas pour remplir ses engagements. Il etait occupe de cette facheuse pensee lorsque. Se trouvant devant la boutique d'un marchand de livres. Il appercut la belle edition Anglaise de Smith, donnee a Londres en 1776: il ouvrit le livre au hazard. et tomba sur le premier chapitre, qui traite de la division du travail, et ou la fabrication des epingles est citee pour exemple. A peine avait-il parcouru les premieres pages, que, par une espece d'inspiration. il concut l'expedient de mettre ses logarithmes en manufacture comme les epingles. Il faisait en ce moment, a l'ecole polytechnique, des lecons sur une partie d'analyse liee a ce genre de travail, la methode des differences, et ses applications a l'interpolation. Il alla passer quelques jours a la campagne. et revint a Paris avec le plan de fabrication. qui a ete suivi dans l'execution. Il rassembla deux ateliers. qui faisai ent separement les memes calculs, et se servaient de verification reciproque.(2*) The ancient methods of computing tables were altogether inapplicable to such a proceeding. M. Prony, therefore, wishing to avail himself of all the talent of his country in devising new methods, formed the first section of those who were to take part in this enterprise out of five or six of the most eminent mathematicians in France. First section. The duty of this first section was to investigate, amongst the various analytical expressions which could be found for the same function, that which was most readily adapted to simple numerical calculation by many individuals employed at the same time. This section had little or nothing to do with the actual numerical work. When its labours were concluded, the formulae on the use of which it had decided, were delivered to the second section. Second section. This section consisted of seven or eight persons of considerable acquaintance with mathematics: and their duty was to convert into numbers the formulae put into their hands by the first section an operation of great labour; and then to deliver out these formulae to the members of the third section, and receive from them the finished calculations. The members of this second section had certain means of verifying the calculations without the necessity of repeating, or even of examining, the whole of the work done by the third section. Third section. The members of this section, whose number varied from sixty to eighty, received certain numbers from the second section, and, using nothing more than simple addition and subtraction, they returned to that section the tables in a finished state. It is remarkable that nine-tenths of this class had no knowledge of arithmetic beyond the two first rules which they were thus called upon to exercise, and that these persons were usually found more correct in their calculations, than those who possessed a more extensive knowledge of the subject. When it is stated that the tables thus computed occupy seventeen large folio volumes, some idea may perhaps be formed of the labour. From that part executed by the third class, which may almost be termed mechanical, requiring the least knowledge and by far the greatest exertions, the first class were entirely exempt. Such labour can always be purchased at an easy rate. The duties of the second class, although requiring considerable skill in arithmetical operations, were yet in some measure relieved by the higher interest naturally felt in those more difficult operations. The exertions of the first class are not likely to require, upon another occasion, so much skill and labour as they did upon the first attempt to introduce such a method; but when the completion of a calculating engine shall have produced a substitute for the whole of the third section of computers, the attention of analysts will naturally be directed to simplifying its application, by a new discussion of the methods of converting analytical formulae into numbers. The proceeding of M. Prony, in this celebrated system of calculation, much resembles that of a skilful person about to construct a cotton or silk mill, or any similar establishment. Having, by his own genius, or through the aid of his friends, found that some improved machinery may be successfully applied to his pursuit, he makes drawings of his plans of the machinery, and may himself be considered as constituting the first section. He next requires the assistance of operative engineers capable of executing the machinery he has designed, some of whom should understand the nature of the processes to be carried on; and these constitute his second section. When a sufficient number of machines have been made, a multitude of other persons, possessed of a lower degree of skill, must be employed in using them; these form the third section: but their work, and the just performance of the machines, must be still superintended by the second class. As the possibility of performing arithmetical calculations by machinery may appear to non-mathematical readers to be rather too large a postulate, and as it is connected with the subject of the division of labour, I shall here endeavour, in a few lines, to give some slight perception of the manner in which this can be done—and thus to remove a small portion of the veil which covers that apparent mystery. That nearly all tables of numbers which follow any law, however complicated, may be formed, to a greater or less extent, solely by the proper arrangement of the successive addition and subtraction of numbers befitting each table, is a general principle which can be demonstrated to those only who are well acquainted with mathematics; but the mind, even of the reader who is but very slightly acquainted with that science, will readily conceive that it is not impossible, by attending to the following example. The subjoined table is the beginning of one in very extensive use, which has been printed and reprinted very frequently in many countries, and is called a table of square numbers. Terms of Table A Table B first Difference C second Difference 1 1
                            3
    2 4 2
                            5
    3 9 2
                            7
    4 16 2
                            9
    5 25 2
                           11
    6 36 2
                           13
    7 49 Any number in the table, column A, may be obtained, by multiplying the number which expresses the distance of that term from the commencement of the table by itself; thus, 25 is the fifth term from the beginning of the table, and 5 multiplied by itself, or by 5, is equal to 25. Let us now subtract each term of this table from the next succeeding term, and place the results in another column (B), which may be called first difference column. If we again subtract each term of this first difference from the succeeding term, we find the result is always the number 2, (column C); and that the same number will always recur in that column, which may be called the second difference, will appear to any person who takes the trouble to carry on the table a few terms further. Now when once this is admitted, it is quite clear that, provided the first term (1) of the table, the first term (3) of the first differences, and the first term (2) of the second or constant difference, are originally given, we can continue the table of square numbers to any extent, merely by addition: for the series of first differences may be formed by repeatedly adding the constant difference (2) to (3) the first number in column B, and we then have the series of numbers, 3, 5, 6, etc.: and again, by successively adding each of these to the first number (1) of the table, we produce the square numbers. Having thus, I hope, thrown some light upon the theoretical part of the question, I shall endeavour to shew that the mechanical execution of such an engine, as would produce this series of numbers, is not so far removed from that of ordinary machinery as might be conceived.(3*) Let the reader imagine three clocks, placed on a table side by side, each having only one hand, and each having a thousand divisions instead of twelve hours marked on the face; and every time a string is pulled, let them strike on a bell the numbers of the divisions to which their hands point. Let him further suppose that two of the clocks, for the sake of distinction called B and C, have some mechanism by which the clock C advances the hand of the clock B one division, for each stroke it makes upon its own bell: and let the clock B by a similar contrivance advance the hand of the clock A one division, for each stroke it makes on its own bell. With such an arrangement, having set the hand of the clock A to the division I, that of B to III, and that of C to II, let the reader imagine the repeating parts of the clocks to be set in motion continually in the following order: viz.—pull the string of clock A; pull the string of clock B; pull the string of clock C. The table on the following page will then express the series of movements and their results. If now only those divisions struck or pointed at by the clock A be attended to and written down, it will be found that they produce the series of the squares of the natural numbers. Such a series could, of course, be carried by this mechanism only so far as the numbers which can be expressed by three figures; but this may be sufficient to give some idea of the construction—and was, in fact, the point to which the first model of the calculating engine, now in progress, extended. We have seen, then, that the effect of the division of labour, both in mechanical and in mental operations, is, that it enables us to purchase and apply to each process precisely that quantity of skill and knowledge which is required for it: we avoid employing any part of the time of a man who can get eight or ten shillings a day by his skill in tempering needles, in turning a wheel, which can be done for sixpence a day; and we equally avoid the loss arising from the employment of an accomplished mathematician in performing the lowest processes of arithmetic. The division of labour cannot be successfully practised unless there exists a great demand for its produce; and it requires a large capital to be employed in those arts in which it is used. In watchmaking it has been carried, perhaps, to the greatest extent. It was stated in evidence before a committee of the House of Commons, that there are a hundred and two distinct branches of this art, to each of which a boy may be put apprentice: and that he only learns his master's department, and is unable, after his apprenticeship has expired, without subsequent instruction, to work at any other branch. The watch-finisher, whose business is to put together the scattered parts, is the only one, out of the hundred and two persons, who can work in any other department than his own. In one of the most difficult arts, that of mining, great improvements have resulted from the judicious distribution of the duties; and under the arrangments which have gradually been introduced, the whole system of the mine and its government is now placed under the control of the following officers. A manager, who has the general knowledge of all that is to be done, and who may be assisted by one or more skilful persons. Underground captains direct the proper mining operations, and govern the working miners. The purser and book-keeper manage the accounts. The engineer erects the engines, and superintends the men who work them. A chief pitman has charge of the pumps and the apparatus of the shafts. A surface-captain, with assistants, receives the ores raised, and directs the dressing department, the object of which is to render them marketable. The head carpenter superintends many constructions. The foreman of the smiths regulates the ironwork and tools. A materials man selects, purchases, receives and delivers all articles required. The roper has charge of ropes and cordage of all sorts. Notes: An Enquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, by Adam Smith. Note sur la publication, proposee par le gouvernement Anglais des grandes tables logarithmiques et trigonometriques de M de Prony De l'imprimerie de F. Didot, December 1, 1829, p. 7 Since the publication of the second edition of this work, one portion of the engine which I have been constructing for some years past has been put together. It calculates, in three columns, a table with its first and second differences. Each column can be expressed as far as five figures, so that these fifteen figures constitute about one ninth part of the larger engine. The ease and precision with which it works leave no room to doubt its success in the more extended form. Besides tables of squares, cubes, and portions of logarithmic tables, it possesses the power of calculating certain series whose differences are not constant; and it has already tabulated parts of series formed from the following equations: The third differential of ux = units figur of delta ux The third differential of ux = nearest whole no. to (1/10,000 delta ux) The subjoined is one amongst the series which it has calculated: 0 3, 486 42,972 0 4,991 50,532 1 6,907 58,812 14 9,295 67,826 70 12,236 77,602 230 15,741 88,202
495 19,861 99,627
916 24,597 111,928
1,504 30,010 125,116
2,340 36,131 139,272 The general term of this is, ux = (x(x-1)(x-2))/(1 X 2 X 3) + the whole number in x/10 + 10 Sigma^3 (units figure of (x(x-1)/2) About HackerNoon Book Series: We bring you the most important technical, scientific, and insightful public domain books. This book is part of the public domain. Charles Babbage (2003). On the Economy of Machinery and Manufactures. Urbana, Illinois: Project Gutenberg. Retrieved https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/4238/pg4238.html This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at , located at . www.gutenberg.org https://www.gutenberg.org/policy/license.html

On the Division of Labour

THE ELDER SON.

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