November 30, 2009

What Do The Abacus & The Computer Have in Common?

Do you like learning about the computer history? This site takes you through out the history of computer starting with the original Abacus like counting board in 300 BC It was a counting board which was the primitive Abacus in 399 BC. Later in 500 BC The counting board Abacus was transformed to the Abacus that we know today.

I have seen other great on-line computer museums and sites about the computer history. They are all over the internet, like the "old computer museum" and the like. It's interesting the way this site leads us all the way to 2009 starting with a simple device as the Abacus. Personally, I find it interesting that the Abacus mentioned here, because I always thought of it as a math first "calculator". But I can certainly see why the Abacus is used in the history of the computer. It makes sense.

Computer History
http://www.computerhope.com/history/bc.htm


Interesting though, this site states that the Abacus was invented by the Chinese in 3,000 BC. That's 5,000 years ago. But it wasn't the Abacus that we know of today. It was completely different. The methods were different. It does states that in "c300 The Chinese begin development of the abacus as a mathematical device c500 The abacus is used in Europe." There are several on-line link, but I want to let you know that the one called "The History Of The Cranmer Abacus For The Blind" didn't work for me. I got an error message. Bummer.

Abacus By The Chinese in 3,000 BC

http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/abacus.htm


If you want to learn about the different type of Abacus through out the world, check Wikipedia. There are many type of the Abacus.

Wikipedia - Abacus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abacus

1 comment:

Daphna said...

I hope the computer translated your comment correctly as I don't speak Romanian:" Very interesting topic posted by you. I checked your blog and I love what I am sure vazut.Cu visit to him in May. Good day"

The translation didn't translated "vazut" though. But I appreciate your. I found the Abacus topic interesting myself.