Virtual Museum > The early ones > simple adding machines
ABACUS
Ok, maybe not the first type of calculators, but certainly one of the most ancient and widely used around the world. I read somewhere that the first type of calculators were :
- the hands and feet: by counting the fingers, toes, and event joints
- beads or grain or pebbles
The abacus above, in my collection, was a gift. I spent some time figuring out how to use these beads.
There are plenty of web sites explaining how to use an abacus. Here is the link on WikiHow
http://www.wikihow.com/Use-an-Abacus
Later in the collection I will also show the hybrid models of calculator where we have one side as an abacus, and one side as an electronic calculator (belt and suspenders). I also found abacus attached to anything possible, such as lighters, flashlight, etc.
- the hands and feet: by counting the fingers, toes, and event joints
- beads or grain or pebbles
The abacus above, in my collection, was a gift. I spent some time figuring out how to use these beads.
There are plenty of web sites explaining how to use an abacus. Here is the link on WikiHow
http://www.wikihow.com/Use-an-Abacus
Later in the collection I will also show the hybrid models of calculator where we have one side as an abacus, and one side as an electronic calculator (belt and suspenders). I also found abacus attached to anything possible, such as lighters, flashlight, etc.