The Forgotten Art of Abacism: Uncovering the History and Appreciation of Manual Calculation

An abacist is a person who uses an abacus, which is a calculating tool that was widely used before the invention of the arithmetic calculator. The abacus is a frame with beads that are moved to represent numbers and perform mathematical calculations. Abacists were skilled in using the abacus to perform complex calculations quickly and accurately.

In modern times, the term "abacist" is not commonly used, as electronic calculators have largely replaced the need for manual calculation methods. However, there is still a small community of people who use and appreciate the abacus as a tool for mental calculation and as a way to develop mental arithmetic skills. These individuals may be referred to as abacists or abacus practitioners.