Whimsy: November 2023 Archives
An early day Rainman, and an interesting look at change in word meanings:
"IDIOT STRONG ON FIGURES"
"Mentally Unbalanced, but Can Outdistance Reliable Calculators."
"Before a Hamburg Medical society a 'perfect idiot' was produced who is able, it is said, to outdistance the most reliable calculator in the world. He is twenty-five years old, of good physique, but mentally unbalanced.... Questioned as to the day of the week in dates during the past year or century, he answered after a few moments' reflection counting in the leap years. As an adding machine he does wonders, but in all other respect he has no sense whatever."
