Symbols:Arithmetic and Algebra/Multiplication (Arithmetic)/Historical Note

Historical Note on $\times$ Symbol for Multiplication
Use of the symbol $\times$ for multiplication of numbers was invented by, and published in his $1631$ work Clavis Mathematicae.

It was criticised by, on the grounds that it was too similar to the letter $x$.

His preferred notation was $\cdot$, which is now widespread.