The abacus was known as the world's first calculator. Long before humans could read or write, they needed to count. First, they used their fingers and then they found other ways by collecting shells, pebbles, and sticks. Eventually, the number got greater so they needed something that could help them add, subtract, multiply, and divide. Chinese traders used the abacus to count the inventory on their ships.
Advantages - Each row on an abacus has a different place value. Although the abacus has been replaced by the calculator, there are still some people that use it today. Another advantage is it's not complicated to use.
Disadvantages - There is really no point of using it anymore unless to show how to add, subtract. multiply, and divide. It's bigger than a calculator so it's not as easy to carry around as a small calculator.