Babylonian mathematicians 
developed algorithms to solve 
arithmetical problems.

Then, in ancient Greece, Euclid created 
the first mechanical calculation proce-
dures for operations such as division. 
The procedures are called mechanical 
because you no longer have to think in 
order to calculate by following certain 
steps set out in a given order, you can 
solve all problems of a given type.  
This three-point definition is already the definition of an algorithm.