Soviet Calculators History

The first calculators

The first mechanical device used in Russia for computational purposes was theRussian abacus (schoty). This device became "the national calculator" and was used in cashier's offices down to the middle of the 90's. It is interesting to note that the textbook "Trade calculations" published in 1986 devotes a whole chapter to methods of calculation by using abacuses.

Simultaneously with the abacuses,  still during the pre-revolutionary years (1917),  the logarithmic (slide) rulers were used in scientific circles, practically without change, since the XVII century. They were in service "serve smb. faithfully" up to the appearance of calculators.

In an effort to automate the processing of calculations, the mankind begins to invent mechanical calculating devices. It is known that the Russian mathematician Chebyshev designed a calculator at the end of the XIX century, unfortunately the drawings were lost.