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Pascal

Blaise Pascal (1623–1662) was a French polymath known for contributions to mathematics, physics, invention, and philosophy. "Pascal" may also refer to other people, places, concepts in science and technology, and various other uses, as detailed in the following sections.

People and Fictional Characters

Blaise Pascal

Blaise Pascal (1623–1662) was a French mathematician, physicist, inventor, philosopher, and theologian whose diverse contributions spanned the natural sciences, mathematics, and Christian apologetics. Born on June 19, 1623, in Clermont (now Clermont-Ferrand), France, he was the only son of Étienne Pascal, a local magistrate and mathematician, and Antoinette Bégon, who died when Blaise was three years old. Raised alongside his sisters Gilberte and Jacqueline, Pascal displayed prodigious talent from a young age, self-teaching geometry by age 12 despite his father's initial efforts to delay his mathematical studies until he reached 15. The family relocated to Paris in 1631 and later to Rouen in 1639, where Étienne served as a tax commissioner, immersing Pascal in intellectual circles, including those led by Marin Mersenne, by age 14. Pascal's early mathematical work focused on , culminating in his Essai pour les coniques (1640), a on conic sections that demonstrated his on hexagons inscribed in conics—a foundational result in the field. In 1654, his correspondence with laid the groundwork for , addressing problems of games of chance and establishing key concepts like . His Traité du triangle arithmétique (1653, published posthumously in 1665) systematized coefficients through , a combinatorial tool with applications in probability and algebra. These achievements positioned him as a pioneer in transitioning mathematics from classical geometry toward analytic and probabilistic methods. In physics and invention, Pascal advanced experimental approaches over scholastic authority. Between 1642 and 1645, he developed the , the first capable of addition and subtraction, designed to assist his father's tax computations and marking an early step in computing history. His 1647 experiments on the mountain demonstrated that decreases with altitude, refuting the Aristotelian and confirming the existence of vacuums. This work informed his Traité de l'équilibre des liqueurs (1663, posthumous), which articulated Pascal's principle: pressure applied to a confined fluid transmits undiminished in all directions, a cornerstone of now honored by the SI unit of pressure, the pascal (Pa). A profound on November 23, 1654—known as the "Night of Fire"—shifted Pascal's focus toward and , influencing his later years amid chronic health issues. He joined the Jansenist community at Port-Royal, defending their austere Catholic doctrines against Jesuit in the (1656–1657), a series of satirical letters that critiqued moral laxity and boosted style. His unfinished (published posthumously in 1670), a collection of fragments on , reason, and human misery, introduced Pascal's : a pragmatic argument that belief in God is rational given the infinite stakes of eternity, even if divine existence is uncertain. Pascal emphasized the limits of reason, famously stating, "The heart has its reasons, which reason does not know," to argue that intuitive knowledge and complement rational inquiry. He died on August 19, 1662, in , at age 39, likely from a combination of illnesses including possible .

Other Real Individuals

Pedro Pascal (born José Pedro Balmaceda Pascal, April 2, 1975) is a Chilean-American known for his versatile performances in television and film. He rose to prominence with his role as in the fourth season of HBO's (2014), earning critical acclaim for his portrayal of the charismatic Dornish prince. Pascal later achieved widespread recognition as Din Djarin, the bounty hunter in Disney+'s (2019–2023), a role that solidified his status as a leading man in streaming media. His film credits include in Netflix's (2015–2017), in (2020), and in HBO's (2023), where he received Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for his dramatic depth. He reprised in Season 2 (2025) and starred as / in (2025), among other projects. Amy Pascal (born March 25, 1958) is an American film producer and former studio executive who played a pivotal role in shaping modern Hollywood blockbusters. She served as co-chairperson of Motion Picture Group from 2003 to 2015, overseeing the production of major franchises including the trilogy starring and the subsequent Amazing series with . Under her leadership, Sony released hits like (2010) and (2012), contributing to over $7 billion in annual studio revenue during her tenure. After departing Sony amid a high-profile email leak scandal, Pascal founded Pascal Pictures in 2015, producing acclaimed films such as (2019), (2021), and Marvel's (2021). In 2025, she partnered with and to produce the next film (Bond 26), alongside projects like and . Pascal Siakam (born April 2, 1994, in Douala, Cameroon) is a professional player and a two-time NBA known for his athleticism and versatility as a forward. Drafted 27th overall by the in 2016 after playing at , Siakam developed into a key contributor, winning the in 2019 and helping the Raptors secure their first championship that year. He earned All-NBA Second Team honors in 2020 and Third Team in 2022, averaging career highs of 22.4 points and 7.8 rebounds per game during the 2022–2023 season with Toronto. Traded to the in January 2024, Siakam was named Eastern Conference Finals MVP in 2025, leading the team to the with averages of 21.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game in the playoffs. Pascal Lamy (born April 8, 1947, in , ) is a civil servant and international trade expert who served as Director-General of the (WTO) for two terms from 2005 to 2013. Educated at , , and the , Lamy began his career in the Ministry of Finance's Inspectorate General before advising President on from 1981 to 1984. He later held senior roles in the , including Chief of Staff to Trade Commissioner Sir (1989–1994) and Director-General for Trade (1999–2005), where he advanced multilateral trade negotiations like the Doha Development Agenda. As WTO head, Lamy navigated challenges including the global and the Bali , authoring reports on and co-founding the Paris-based Notre Europe – Institute. As of 2025, Lamy remains active as vice-president of the Paris Peace Forum and coordinator of the Institutes, delivering talks on topics like China-US trade rivalry and EU strategic autonomy. Gabriel Pascal (1894–1954) was a Hungarian-born and director renowned for bringing the works of playwright to the screen. Born in Arad, (now ), Pascal started in theater and silent films before producing (1938), a critically acclaimed adaptation starring and that won an (as 's precursor). He secured exclusive rights from Shaw to adapt multiple plays, including the epic (1945), which became one of the most expensive British films of its era at over £1.2 million in production costs. Pascal's innovative approach blended literary fidelity with cinematic spectacle, influencing mid-20th-century adaptations of classic theater, though his later projects faced financial setbacks leading to his death in 1954.

Fictional Characters

In literature, Pascal Rougon is the protagonist of Émile Zola's 1893 novel Le Docteur Pascal, the final installment in the Rougon-Macquart series, where he appears as a physician and scholar documenting his family's hereditary traits amid social and political turmoil in 19th-century France. Similarly, Mattia Pascal serves as the central figure in Luigi Pirandello's 1904 novel The Late Mattia Pascal, a satirical exploration of identity and existential crisis, in which the titular character fakes his death to start anew, only to grapple with the illusions of freedom and self-reinvention. In film and television, Ana Pascal is a supporting character in the 2006 comedy-drama Stranger than Fiction, portrayed by as a rebellious and resister who forms a romantic connection with the protagonist, Harold Crick, symbolizing themes of spontaneity and resistance against bureaucratic conformity. More recently, Dom Pascal emerges as a key character in the series , introduced in season 13 (2024–2025) and continuing in season 14 (2025–present), played by as Battalion Chief of Firehouse 51; following the departure of his predecessor, Chief Wallace Boden, he navigates leadership challenges, personal grief—including the death of his wife at the end of season 13, leading to a temporary step away before returning—and inter-house dynamics. In animation, Pascal is Rapunzel's loyal pet in Disney's 2010 film and its spin-off series Tangled: The Series (2017–2020), serving as a non-verbal who uses color-changing abilities for , emotional expression, and while protecting his owner during her adventures. In video games, Pascal is a pacifist machine lifeform and leader of a peaceful village in NieR: Automata (2017), developed by and published by ; as a major NPC who espouses philosophy and non-violence amid a war between androids and machines, he becomes temporarily playable and central to themes of and . Another notable example is Pascal, an energetic Amarcian inventor and party member in (2009), developed by ; known for her genius-level intellect, tomboyish personality, and explosive inventions, she joins protagonists in combating global crises involving elemental forces and ancient lore.

Places

In the United States

, is an unincorporated community in Hart County, located approximately 12 miles southeast of Munfordville. Settled around 1790, it once supported a that operated intermittently from 1888 to 1912, along with a large mill, general stores, and a , reflecting its role as a small rural hub in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The origin of the community's name remains obscure, with no definitive historical records attributing it to a specific individual or event. In , Pascal was a historical town in Comanche County, classified as an unincorporated settlement that no longer exists. It lacked formal incorporation and a during its active period, and today it holds no current or infrastructure, serving primarily as a footnote in local geographic history. These represent the primary locations named Pascal within the , both emphasizing the name's sparse but enduring presence in American rural landscapes.

Elsewhere

Saint-Pascal is a municipality in the Kamouraska Regional County Municipality within Quebec's region, . It serves as the second-largest municipality in Kamouraska and developed significantly in the mid-19th century due to the arrival of the Grand Tronc Railway, which facilitated economic growth and connectivity. According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by , Saint-Pascal had a of 3,530 residents, reflecting a 1.8% increase from the 3,468 recorded in 2016. The town offers urban services alongside recreational spaces, including trails at Montagne à Coton, a 150-meter hill with lookout points providing scenic views of the surrounding landscape. Pascal Island is a small island off the Kimberley coast in Western Australia, located at approximately 14°04′08″S 125°38′59″E within the Bonaparte Archipelago. It covers about 8.39 hectares and is recognized in the official Gazetteer of Australia (1996) as a named geographical feature. The island remains largely uninhabited and is part of the remote coastal ecosystem in northern Australia. In Antarctica, Pascal Island is a small rocky island situated 0.37 km east-southeast of Descartes Island and 1.9 km northeast of Cape Mousse in Adélie Land. Charted in 1951 by the French Antarctic Expedition (FrAE), it was named in honor of Blaise Pascal (1623–1662), the French mathematician, physicist, and philosopher. The island is documented in the Australian Antarctic Data Centre's gazetteer as an official place name. Several minor localities and features named Pascal exist in other countries, including populated places in (four instances across regions such as Sud and Nord-Est), a locality in Sétif Province, , and small settlements in Bolivia's El Beni region, , and the Republic's San Juan province. These are typically rural or sparsely populated areas, with limited documented details beyond their geographical coordinates in global place-name databases.

Science and Technology

The Pascal Unit

The pascal (symbol: Pa) is the coherent derived unit of pressure and stress in the International System of Units (SI), defined as exactly one newton per square metre (1 Pa = 1 N/m²). This equates to one kilogram per metre per second squared (1 Pa = 1 kg⋅m⁻¹⋅s⁻²), reflecting its derivation from the SI base units of mass (kilogram), length (metre), and time (second). The unit quantifies the force applied perpendicularly over a unit area, essential for describing phenomena like atmospheric pressure, fluid dynamics, and material stress. The name "pascal" was officially adopted by the 14th General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM) in 1971 as a special name for the SI unit of , previously expressed simply as per . This decision honored (1623–1662), the French mathematician and physicist whose pioneering work on fluids and laid foundational principles for the field. Pascal's experiments, including the 1646 experiments with the , invented by in 1643, and demonstrations of variation with altitude—such as his brother-in-law's mountain ascent measuring reduced mercury column height at 1,465 meters elevation—established key concepts like and the transmission of in confined fluids (). These contributions, detailed in his 1663 posthumous work Traité de l'équilibre des liqueurs, underscored the need for standardized , influencing the unit's naming. In practice, the pascal is small for everyday applications, so multiples like the kilopascal (kPa = 10³ Pa) are common; for instance, standard atmospheric pressure at is approximately 101.325 kPa. The unit's adoption promoted coherence in global scientific and engineering standards, replacing non-SI units like the atmosphere or in precise contexts, though it coexists with them in industries such as and . Its SI status ensures traceability and interoperability in measurements, from vacuum technology to biomechanical stress analysis.

Pascal Programming Language

Pascal is an imperative, language designed by Swiss computer scientist at and first published in 1971. Intended primarily as a teaching tool to promote principles, it drew inspiration from and addressed limitations in contemporary languages like and by emphasizing clarity, , and . Wirth aimed to create a language that would encourage systematic discipline in programming, as reflected in its block-structured syntax and restrictions on unstructured constructs, aligning with Edsger Dijkstra's advocacy for in 1968. The language's development began in 1968–1969, with its formal definition appearing in Acta Informatica in 1971, followed by a revised report in 1973. Pascal's design philosophy prioritized simplicity and precision, using (EBNF) for its specification to ensure unambiguity. It rejected overly complex features from , which Wirth viewed as a failed effort due to its verbosity, instead focusing on what the language explicitly forbids to prevent common errors. Early implementations, such as the ETH compiler using P-code (a portable intermediate code), facilitated its adoption in education starting in the early 1970s. Key features of Pascal include strong static typing, where every variable must be declared with a specific type before use, supporting integers, reals, Booleans, characters, and composite types like arrays and records. Control structures promote readability with constructs such as if-then-else, case, while-do, repeat-until, and for loops, while avoiding unrestricted goto statements in favor of structured alternatives. Procedures and functions enable modular code, with parameter passing by value or variable (reference) to support recursion and data abstraction. A basic program structure follows a block format: 
PROGRAM [ProgramName](/page/PROGRAM);
VAR
   x: REAL;
   i: [INTEGER](/page/Integer);
BEGIN
   x := 3.14;
   i := 1;
   WHILE i <= 10 DO
   BEGIN
      WRITE(x * i);
      i := i + 1
   END
END.
This example declares variables, initializes them, and uses a to output multiples, demonstrating Pascal's emphasis on explicit declarations and nested blocks. Pascal's influence extended beyond education through implementations like in the late 1970s, which introduced portable (P-code) for microcomputers such as the and , running on limited hardware like 64 KB memory. Commercial success came with Borland's in 1983, offering an that popularized it for application development in the . The language shaped subsequent designs, including (1979) by Wirth, which added modules for better encapsulation, and indirectly influenced Ada for its structured approach and . Its portability concepts prefigured Java's "" model, as 's system enabled cross-platform execution on diverse architectures. Standardization occurred with ISO 7185 in 1990, defining the core semantics and syntax for conformance, including requirements for compilers to support the full language without extensions in level 0 implementations. Despite its peak in the 1970s–1990s as a pedagogical staple—used in universities worldwide and even translated into non-English contexts like and —Pascal waned with the rise of object-oriented languages like C++ and in the 1990s. Modern usage persists in niches, such as embedded systems via and Lazarus IDE, and in legacy code maintenance, but its primary legacy remains in fostering disciplined programming practices that underpin contemporary .

Mathematical and Physical Principles

Blaise Pascal made foundational contributions to mathematics through his work on combinatorial structures and probability. In his 1653 Treatise on the Arithmetical Triangle, he systematically explored the arithmetic triangle, now known as Pascal's triangle, which arranges binomial coefficients in a triangular pattern where each entry is the sum of the two above it. This structure, though known earlier in various forms by mathematicians in China, Persia, and India dating back centuries, was rigorously analyzed by Pascal for its applications in solving combinatorial problems. The entries in the nth row correspond to the coefficients in the binomial expansion of (a + b)^n, given by the formula \binom{n}{k} = \frac{n!}{k!(n-k)!}, where k ranges from 0 to n, enabling efficient computation of probabilities and expansions without direct factorial calculations. Pascal's collaboration with Pierre de Fermat in 1654 via correspondence laid the groundwork for probability theory, particularly through solving the "problem of points," which addressed fair division of stakes in an interrupted game of chance. Their exchange established the concept of mathematical expectation, where the value of a gamble is the sum of each outcome multiplied by its probability, as in the expected value E = ∑(p_i × x_i), with p_i as probabilities and x_i as payoffs. This work extended earlier informal ideas from gamblers and mathematicians like Cardano and Galileo, formalizing probability as a mathematical discipline applicable beyond games to decision-making under uncertainty. In physics, Pascal advanced with his , stated in his 1653 Treatise on the Equilibrium of Liquids, that a change applied to an enclosed fluid at rest transmits undiminished to every point in the fluid and to the container walls. Mathematically, P = F/A ( per area) remains constant throughout, leading to applications in hydraulic systems where amplification occurs via area ratios, such as F_2 / F_1 = A_2 / A_1 for pistons at the same level. This derives from the of on fluid elements, assuming incompressibility and no . Pascal's experimental work further illuminated and the possibility of . In 1647, he conducted trials with barometers, demonstrating that mercury levels in Torricelli tubes varied with air , refuting the Aristotelian notion of (nature's aversion to ). The 1648 experiment, performed by his brother-in-law Florin Périer, measured a 3-inch drop in mercury height at 1,465 meters elevation, confirming decreases with altitude according to P = ρgh (hydrostatic equation, density ρ, gravity g, height h). These findings, detailed in New Experiments Concerning the , integrated mathematics with empirical physics, influencing later developments in .

Other Uses

Surname and Personal Names

Pascal serves as both a masculine and a , originating from the Paschalis, which translates to "relating to " or "of the ," derived ultimately from the Hebrew Pesach. The name gained prominence in Christian contexts due to its association with the holiday, and it spread through , particularly in and , where it remains popular as a first name among French-speaking populations, as well as in , , and the . As a , Pascal is predominantly male, though feminine variants such as or Pascalina exist in and traditions. In contemporary usage, the given name Pascal appears in various cultural contexts, with notable bearers including Chilean-American actor , recognized for his roles as in the series and as Din Djarin in . Another prominent example is American actor and singer , best known for originating the role of Roger Davis in the Broadway musical , which earned him a Tony Award nomination. As a surname, derives directly from the medieval , functioning as a in , English, (particularly Haitian), and Mauritian lineages, often denoting descent from someone named after . It is most prevalent in , where over 29,000 individuals bear the name, followed by , , , , and , reflecting colonial and migratory patterns. Historically, the surname traces to roots in regions like , , with early records in , , post-Norman Conquest. Among notable individuals with Pascal as a surname, the 17th-century French stands out for his contributions to , physics, and , including the invention of the known as the . In the film industry, American producer has been influential, serving as co-chairperson of Entertainment from 2003 to 2015 and producing major franchises like . These examples illustrate the name's enduring presence across intellectual, artistic, and professional spheres.

Biology and Varieties

In , "Pascal" designates several cultivated plant varieties, primarily in and ornamentals, often tracing origins to efforts in the 19th and 20th centuries. These varieties are noted for their , flavor profiles, and adaptability to specific growing conditions, though they represent distinct rather than a unified biological category. The most prominent Pascal variety is in celery (Apium graveolens var. dulce), known as Pascal celery or Giant Pascal, a French heirloom developed in the late 19th century. Discovered in 1884 by horticulturist Henri Pascal in his celery fields in Nîmes, France, it was subsequently refined by the Vilmorin seed company into a robust cultivar with thick, crisp stalks reaching 20–24 inches in length. This variety features tender, green ribs with a nutty flavor, making it suitable for blanching, stir-fries, and fresh consumption; it thrives in midwinter to early spring conditions and is self-blanching when grown with proper earthing up. Pascal celery gained popularity in regions like Colorado's Arvada area in the early 1900s for its high yield and disease resistance, contributing to local agricultural heritage. Beyond celery, Pascal appears in other horticultural contexts. In potatoes (Solanum tuberosum), 'Pascal' is a mid-season variety registered in Canada, characterized by spherical lightsprouts, red-skinned tubers with white flesh; it matures comparably to 'Red Pontiac' but offers higher marketable yield under field trials. For grapes (Vitis vinifera), Pascal (also known as Pascal Blanc) is a white wine grape variety originating from Provence, France, with erect growth, high fertility, and productivity, adapted to short pruning and goblet training systems in Mediterranean climates; it produces very large bunches of large berries for dry, neutral white wines with low alcohol content. In ornamental flowers, PASCAL™ refers to a series of gerbera daisies (Gerbera jamesonii) bred for cut-flower production, featuring vibrant colors, long stems, and tolerance to high light and temperature without climate control. These examples illustrate Pascal's role as a varietal name emphasizing reliability and commercial viability across diverse botanical applications.