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I-0477a Abacus Japanese Japan 20th century Materials: Wood, metal, paint Before the invention of the computer or calculator, merchants used counting boards or an abacus to keep track of inventory and their finances. The abacus replaced other primitive counting devices [...]

I-0435b United States Date: 1950 Materials: Metal, plastic Photo via: International Slide Rule Museum Some of the first known calculation systems were developed by Sumerians and Egyptians around 3rd millenium B.C. One of the tools that they created to help [...]

I-0392f Surveying Equipment Queen and Company American Philadelphia, PA Date: 1893 Materials: Metal, wood, glass, ivory This survey instrument was made by Queen and Company in 1893. The instrument includes a transit, plum-bob, compass, scale and wood and ivory leveling [...]