er machines that can "learn" without direct input from a human programmer.  
2) **Practically:** sets of tools for investigating/modeling/understanding data.  
3)  **Specifically:** (see below)

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# Brief history of machine learning

A proto-example:  
- [Pascal's calculator](http://history-computer.com/MechanicalCalculators/Pioneers/Pascal.html)  

20th Century advances:   
- [McCulloch Pitts neuron model](http://wwwold.ece.utep.edu/research/webfuzzy/docs/kk-thesis/kk-thesis-html/node12.html)  
- [Turin