It was in China about 1200 C.E. when the abacus, known in Chinese as the Suan-Pan, first appeared in written records. The contraption was constructed of wood and reinforced with metal.
The abacus extended over the globe and was independently created and utilized in several cultures, including Egypt, Greece, Rome, China, and other Asian nations.
It gained particular popularity in China, where it was adapted into other forms including the suanpan (a conventional Chinese abacus) and the soroban in Japan. Other Asian nations as well as various regions of Europe also employed the abacus extensively.
In general, the abacus has a long and varied history, with many modifications and adaptations being practiced in several civilizations across the world. It was essential to early mathematics and is still applied in some areas and in some educational settings today.
