Events from 1623

Statute of Monopolies - patents limited to new inventions for 14 years, foundation of modern patent law

English statute requires creditor consent for bankruptcy discharge - 4/5ths in number and value must agree to certificate

Rosicrucian scare in Paris - Posters announce invisible brethren in city - Panic ensues - Descartes publicly shows himself to prove he's not invisible

Wilhelm Schickard designs 'Calculating Clock' - first mechanical calculator with gears for addition and subtraction