The term "stepped reckoner" refers to an early form of a mechanical calculator that was invented by the German mathematician, philosopher, and inventor Wilhelm Schickard in 1623. There are several synonyms for this historical device, including "mechanical calculator", "digital computer", "adding machine", and "arithmometer". These machines were designed to perform basic mathematical calculations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division automatically, using a series of gears, levers, and other mechanical components. They were the precursors to modern-day computers and played a significant role in the development of modern mathematics and science. Despite being nearly 400 years old, the stepped reckoner remains a fascinating piece of technological history and a testament to the ingenuity of the human mind.