Final answer:
The ancient Chinese used the abacus, a manual calculator dating back to the 2nd century BC. It exemplifies one of the earliest methods for performing calculations, similarly to how the Incas used the quipu for counting.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ancient Chinese used the abacus, a counting device with movable beads. This calculator is quite old, dating back to at least the 2nd century BC. Calculators as a concept have been critical for quick computation in various settings, but the abacus stands out as one of the earliest tools that helped people perform mathematical calculations before the advent of more modern electronic calculators.
Like the abacus, other ancient civilizations developed counting systems such as the Inca with their quipu. Calculators and counting devices have evolved, but the principle of user input determining accuracy remains the same. The abacus requires manual operation to yield results, similar to the way a person must assess the answers provided by electronic calculators today.