https://hackerpaper.kaipfister.de/p/1206.4349/Collected HN comments and submissions linking this paper.enMon, 02 Nov 2026 11:16:22 GMThttps://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13820532urn:hackerpapers:mention:1206.4349:13820532Wed, 08 Mar 2017 14:45:19 GMT<p>So from the hour I wasted yesterday poking around the web after reading this article - http://webhome.idirect.com/~totton/abacus/PDF.htm Seems like the best free resource. This book seems like the standard english text on soroban - https://smile.amazon.com/Japanese-Abacus-Its-Use-Theory/dp/0... The first few chapters are great. This book from the sixties mentions that abacus are actually a middle-eastern invention and came east with trade. Abacus in fixed frames are a later invention for speed but earlier versions would have more resembled a backgammon table using pebbles.…</p><p><a href="https://hackerpaper.kaipfister.de/p/1206.4349/">Paper and discussion history</a>. A mention is not an endorsement.</p>math.HO