As with many inventions dating back hundreds of years, there is no definitive answer when it comes to the first inventor of the pedometer. There are three primary avenues of thought regarding the pedometer's origins, each of which has its supporters and detractors.
The man most-often credited with being the inventor of the pedometer is Leonardo da Vinci in the 15th century.
History
The Romans set the groundwork for the pedometer in the second or third century by counting steps to determine distances for military and mapping purposes. Even though the practice of measuring distances by recording steps resembles usage of an odometer a bit more than a pedometer, there are many who point to the Romans as being the first inventors of the pedometer.
Time Frame
Next in line to the throne of potential pedometer inventors is Leonardo da Vinci. One of da Vinci's notebooks contained sketches of a device that functioned as a pedometer. The premise behind da Vinci's pedometer involved the use of a pendulum that moved back and forth in correlation with the movements of the walker's body.
Charles H. Gibbs-Smith, in his 1978 book, "The Inventions of Leonardo da Vinci," states that the pedometer was designed to help da Vinci with accuracy when making maps.
Considerations
The forgotten man in many discussions regarding the invention of the pedometer is the noted English scientist Robert Hooke. According to Stephen Inwood's biography, "The Man Who Knew Too Much: The Inventive Life of Robert Hooke, 1635-1703," Hooke invented the pedometer in 1674 as an aid to mapmakers.
Significance
Another person whom many credit as being the inventor of the pedometer is Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson was a firm believer in walking and was said to have walked around the presidential grounds while wearing his pedometer.
At one time, pedometers were also referred to as "Tomish meters," which is said to be in honor of Jefferson.
As Jefferson never applied for patents for any of the items he is credited with inventing, it is impossible to know whether the pedometer was a product of his creation.
The French Connection
The biggest problem with crediting Jefferson as the first inventor of the pedometer is that it appears Jefferson purchased a pedometer in France during the time he spent overseas.
In a Feb. 8,1786, correspondence with James Madison, Jefferson offers to purchase a watch for Madison, but adds, "For 12 louis more you can have in the same cover, but on the back side & absolutely unconnected with the movements of the watch, a pedometer which shall render you an exact account of the distances you walk."
It appears Jefferson was the one who popularized pedometers in the United States, but was not the person who first invented them.
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