History
In 1992, Elon Kohlberg, a mathematician and professor at Harvard Business School, learned how difficult it is to teach basic math concepts to children. While trying to help his young nephew, Elon recognized that one of the hardest steps for children is the earliest step: developing an intuitive understanding the base-10 number system. Elon started developing a physical model to help his nephew visualize the number system. He began with pebbles and plastic boxes to create some games and activities, and he was elated to see how helpful this approach was to his nephew. Two years later, Elon brought the materials out again for his son, who insisted on taking them to