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392 years ago, the English mathematician and clergyman William Oughtred introduced the multiplication sign ✕ for the first time. via @fermatslibrary.

Oughtred was the first to use logarithmic scales and sliding by one another to perform direct multiplication and division. He is credited with inventing the slide rule in about 1622. He also introduced the abbreviations "sin" and "cos" for the sine and cosine functions. via @wikipedia

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Portrait of William Oughtred Object type: print Object number: RP-P-1907-2855 Catalog reference: New Hollstein German (Hollar) 868Pennington 1477 Inscriptions / Marks: collector's mark, verso, stamped: Lugt 2228 Description: portrait of the English mathematician and clergyman, William Oughtred. Creator: printmaker: Wenceslaus Hollar (mentioned on object)from his own design by: Wenceslaus Hollar (mentioned on object) Place of manufacture: Antwerp Date: 1646 Physical characteristics: etching and dry needle Material: paper Technique: etching/dry needle Dimensions: sheet: h 161 mm × w 106 mm Notes Included as author's portrait in: Oughtred, William. The key of the mathematicks new forged and filed. London, printed by Tho. Harper for Rich. Whitaker, 1647.
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