2004.76

Prototype of APH Beginner's Abacus

Poppe, Tom, designer

Abacus has a wooden frame, red felt lining, and 2 metal rods with 9 white plastic beads on each rod. Designed by Tom Poppe of the APH Educational and Technical Research Department. Project leader, Eleanor Pester. The American Printing House for the Blind started selling the Beginner's Abacus in 1998.

H-2.5 W-5.5 L-1 inches

October 1996

American Printing House for the Blind

Louisville, KY

APH Collection

In 1962, Carson Nolan, APH president, and June Morris, APH vice president, led an APH project in which 150 abacuses were made at APH and tested for use by blind students at the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, MA and in Cincinnati public schools. Fred Gissoni traveled to the schools to train instructors and students in use of the abacus, which was based on Terence (Tim) V. Cranmer's design and which would later be produced as the Cranmer Abacus at APH. After 12 weeks of testing, it was found that the students using the abacus had an increase of 4 grade levels in their mathematical skills. The simplified beginner's version was introduced in the 1999 catalog. The instruction manual, copyright 1997, was written by Karen Poppe.

APH Collection, 2004.76