Donated by Helen Burgess former lecturer in Craft at the Ballarat School of Mines and the Ballarat College of Advanced Education. This abacus was purchased while Helen was visiting Asia. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvsnftXXKdw Usage: check wikipediaRectangular abacus, Chinese style rosewood or blackwood with brass fittings on corners and dividing framework,13 rods, 65 lower beads, 26 upper beads. Gift of Helen BurgessManufacturing stamp on lower RHS inside frame: "1963 6" Unidentified Chinese characters on the framework behind the lower beads on both central vertical supports, on the LHS framework and on the centre portion of the lower framework.abacus, abacus chinese, rosewood stained, helen burgess, mathematics

The abacus has been used by many civilisations, and is still in use today. Its origin is masked in the depths of time, but it is believed to have originated in crude form around the years c.2500 BCE. It is interesting to note that this abacus, although in use in Australian schools, contains ten rows, each containing ten beads, suggesting that it was heavily influenced by the decimal system. The number 12 was quite prominent in Australia, no doubt introduced by the British during the first settlements. It's use, as in dozens, twelve shillings in the pound and twelve inches in a foot, was widespread until decimalisation in 1966. Even today, many items are sold in dozens or sixes.Before more sophisticated adding machines and then calculators were developed in the 19th and 20th centuries, the abacus would have been in worldwide use.Abacus or counting frame with ten rows, each containing ten wooden beads.Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, wood, abacus

Camp 3 was one of the Tatura Group of civilian & prisoner of war internment camps during World War 2. Camp 3 was a civilian 'family' camp. The abacus was made by a German internee, for his son in the camp. It was made from scrap materials found in and around the camp & the beads & other wooden parts of the abacus were turned on a lathe also constructed by the internees. Wood & metal abacus with wooden base, sides & beads (100), & metal rails. Wood painted red & black. camp 3, tatura, internment camps, civilian internees

Brown wooden frame with red coloured beads/counters on thin pieces of dowel. Frame is connected together with metal right-angle bracketseducation, school, abacus, counting, maths

Bookplate featuring the Incredible Hulk holding an abacus"Ex Libris EDWIN JEWELL"edwin jewell, bookplate, incredible hulk

Abacus used by children 1900's ? Wicker Clothes basket 1900's ?abacus, school, counting, washing basket, wicker basket, laundry

Children and staff at a Greensborough child care centre support White Balloon Day. The Abacus Child Care Centre was established in 1994.News clipping, black text, colour image.abacus child care centre, bravehearts, white balloon day

Buildings/Business in photos include Abacus House, Social Security building, Spectacle Makers, Ross Print, AMP, Westpac, Holt & MacDonald, Dance Club, Arthur Young &Co Chartered AccountantsWritten on back of photographs, "Ringwood Street, 1984."