The abacus is a testament to a) the cleverness of the human mind, b) the inventiveness of societies who want to be quick, as well as accurate, in free market trading and c) the complexity of tasks which can be performed by seemingly simple gadgets. Some abaci could even calculate square root. Here is probably more than you would ever want to know about an abacus from Wikipedia.
This is a really quick post, because I'm sorry, I don't have an abacus story. I did though pick up the charm shown in the picture in London years ago. I bought it because I really enjoy the concept of business. When I left teaching I did some part time bookkeeping for a few companies including my husband's. It was a dramatic change from high school teaching. For the most part accounting is black and white. You are either in balance or you're not and then you have to find the error. Teaching has a strong creative side to it with lots of angst. There was always that feeling that one could have done a little better.
However, with accounting the numbers speak for themselves, unless of course you are into "creative accounting" and then that's a whole different ballgame :)
Have a great day!!
Carol, I think abacusi are cool, but I never learned how they worked. I do most math with my fingers.I guess the abacus is kind of the same, with the finger bit.
ReplyDeleteHaha! Have to watch out for those creative accountants for sure! I always liked math in school, because of the reason you mention - there is usually only one right answer to each problem, and that was a relief (especially if I was right). The abacus is brilliant, really. Although the calculator is a bit quicker!
ReplyDeleteI am not sure that i wold have the patience to use an abacus! I have never understood how it works anyway...
ReplyDeleteWhat a charming charm. I am fascinated with numbers and this colorful little item would have found it's way onto my bracelet too.
ReplyDelete