Abacus & Slide Rule vs. Calculator

Modern technology or centuries old instruments.  Which is faster, easier to use, more accurate, and more reliable?  Lets test to find out.

Some classic slide rule, slide cylinder, and slide wheel designs.

Make a slide rule or slide wheel out of paper for free.

http://sliderulemuseum.com/SR_Scales.htm

Chinese Account abacuses are cheap to make or buy.

You can see the row of 1s called the "earth" above the row of 5s called "heaven".

An HP-15 Business Calculator.  The longest made and best selling calculator of all time.

A classic american slide wheel from 1960.

But who wins in an all out throw-down?

Results

Device / Time	Abacus	Slide Rule	HP-15 Calculator
Addition	1:01	11:05	0:14
Percent	1:20	2:55	0:49
Log	7:89	0:14	2:41
Conversion	25:39	12:54	21:09