The illustrious John Napier (1550-1617) of Merchiston, the inventor of logarithms and after whom Edinburgh's newest university is named, was particularly interested in the initial teaching of mathematical skills. Aware that beginners were frightened by the apparent difficulty of the basic artithmetic operations of multiplication and division, he invented a number of instrumental aids. In his day, he was best know to the lay public for "Napier's bones" — sets of ivory calculating rods. The illustrated lecture will demonstrate how these rods work, and by giving an outline of the life and times of John Napier, will provide a context to understanding his contribution to mathematical education.