Abacus, Soroban?

[Fredan]

Picked up this Japanese Abacus "Soroban" at an antique shop for $10 Canadian today.

It's interesting, it's what was used before electronic or mechanical calculators, and people still use them today, mostly in Asia though.

Thankfully, I have already learnt a little about it, what each component is called and their purpose, how it works, how to read numbers on it, add and subtract, and I can do basic addition and subtraction on it thus far. I still have more to learn of course, but it's nice to get into something like this.

Do you have anything like this, anyone here with experience or interest?

I would like to know more info about mine, like the company that made it, the model, the year, etc.

 

[Tired]

I know the Russian version of them. I had something similar when i was a kid, parents were showing me how to count with them. i dont remember how to do it anymore. Here is how they look and the kid version:

I dont have interest in them, i totally forgot about their existence until this moment. What makes you interested in them?

 

[Fredan]

I know the Russian version of them. I had something similar when i was a kid, parents were showing me how to count with them. i dont remember how to do it anymore. Here is how they look and the kid version:
I dont have interest in them, i totally forgot about their existence until this moment. What makes you interested in them?

I'm generally interested in a lot of technology, including vintage technology.

I think it's quite neat, to know how to use pre-cursors to modern day calculators. I also appreciate the conceptualization the original inventors had to have had back in ancient times to have formulated such an idea.

I also like slide rules.

 

[Shamar]

I'm generally interested in a lot of technology, including vintage technology.

I think it's quite neat, to know how to use pre-cursors to modern day calculators. I also appreciate the conceptualization the original inventors had to have had back in ancient times to have formulated such an idea.

I also like slide rules.

I also like pre-electronic calculators, and collect them. I have a good collection of slide rules and pre electronic calculators (yes, I know how to use them). I am looking for a helical slide rule. These have the scale wound around a cylinder, and can be equal to a regular slide rule up to 25 meters long. I am also looking for an affordable Curta calculator to add to the collection.

 

[Jumpinbare]

I also like pre-electronic calculators, and collect them. I have a good collection of slide rules and pre electronic calculators (yes, I know how to use them). I am looking for a helical slide rule. These have the scale wound around a cylinder, and can be equal to a regular slide rule up to 25 meters long. I am also looking for an affordable Curta calculator to add to the collection.

Slide rules were just falling out of use when I graduated high school. A few people were still using them at Georgia Tech.
Prior to this, there was quite a "culture" around them. The degree of nerdiness was indicated by how much the slide rule was carried around. Many had neck straps so they could be worn and used at any time. The most nerdy students were said to wear their slide rule in the shower.

 

[Dagan]

I remember the first time a teacher asked anyone to use one of those in elementary school. I was asked up, first. I just moved four beads over real quick and said, "connect four...I win!"

I, in fact, did not win that day.

 

[Tired]

helical slide rule

just googled it and now I want it, such a cool thing, why are they out of use now?

 

[velociraptor]

I find them fascinating, but don't own any. My wife will kill me if I collect anything else.

 

[Jumpinbare]

just googled it and now I want it, such a cool thing, why are they out of use now?

Scientific calculators are easier and show more decimal places.

 

[Shamar]

Slide rules were just falling out of use when I graduated high school. A few people were still using them at Georgia Tech.
Prior to this, there was quite a "culture" around them. The degree of nerdiness was indicated by how much the slide rule was carried around. Many had neck straps so they could be worn and used at any time. The most nerdy students were said to wear their slide rule in the shower.

The case for the one I had in high school had a belt loop. I wore it like a sword. Is that nerdy enough?

 

[Jumpinbare]

The case for the one I had in high school had a belt loop. I wore it like a sword. Is that nerdy enough?

I'll allow it. Mine also had beltloop case