The name of Abacus has always been reckoned with awful respect while cherishing the history of computers or computing, to be more specific. It was perhaps 1300 BC, when the Chinese started using abacus and it is the first known adding machine in the history of computing.

The word Abacus has been derived from the Greek word abax.

Slowly people started using the mechanical device to perform all their basic mathematical operations like add, subtract, multiply and division.

Abacus contains breads and arithmetic computation just by movement of the breads become attractive to the kids. In most of the Abacus toys, there are 10 strings with sliding breads and the strings are placed within some wooden framework. When some kids become panic stricken by the term mathematics, then the pictorial representation of such breads enable a better comprehension for the kids.

Its not only mere mathematics, but a kid has to sharpen his brain by using such logical methodologies to steer to a win in this competitive world.

Never confuse Abacus as a calculator, but it is an educational toy, which are probably the first mechanical aids to perform most basic level of calculation. So, if you want your kid to be aware of the counting system in a most scientific format with homage to the ancient tradition, perhaps abacus does not have an alternative.

Even today, abacus is valued with esteem and it may be called the first attempt towards the computer.