Soroban - 1950s model 33 of 51
Japanese form of abacus.
Plastic beads on bamboo rods.
The single bead at the top is worth 5 points.
The lower 4 beads are 1 point each.
Abacus were still in use in the 1990's all over China, their "click clack" was one of the characteristic background noises.
Experts were as fast as with an electric calculator.
Image 1956-Soroban1170.jpg
Photo page created Fri Dec 2 08:36:44 2005. All information © Eric Foxley.