Computers & Business Machines

Imagine the loss, 100 years from now, if museums hadn't begun preserving the artifacts of the computer age. The last few decades offer proof positive of why museums must collect continuously—to document technological and social transformations already underway.

The museum's collections contain mainframes, minicomputers, microcomputers, and handheld devices. Computers range from the pioneering ENIAC to microcomputers like the Altair and the Apple I. A Cray2 supercomputer is part of the collections, along with one of the towers of IBM's Deep Blue, the computer that defeated reigning champion Garry Kasparov in a chess match in 1997. Computer components and peripherals, games, software, manuals, and other documents are part of the collections. Some of the instruments of business include adding machines, calculators, typewriters, dictating machines, fax machines, cash registers, and photocopiers

This handheld electronic calculator has a white plastic case with twenty square plastic keys with depressions (of the Klixon type).
Description
This handheld electronic calculator has a white plastic case with twenty square plastic keys with depressions (of the Klixon type). The keys include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a memory key, four arithmetic function keys, a total key, a square root key, a clear key, and a clear entry key. The memory key may serve for storage or accumulation. Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit red LED display. The on/off switch is right of it. A power jack is on the back edge. A tag on the front reads: Summit.
A tag on the back of the calculator gives operating instructions. It reads in part: SUMMIT INTERNATIONAL CORP. (/) Serial No. 1716 SQR 16M (/) Salt Lake City, Utah Manufactured by NCE NUCLEAR (/) made in U.S.A.
References:
[Advertisement], Chicago Tribune, June 21, 1973, p. N_A13. This calculator advertised as selling regularly for $199.95, on sale for $129.88.
[Advertisement], Chicago Tribune, September 11, 1973, p. C5. The calculator is given as having a list price of $129.95 and a sale price of $99.88.
[Advertisement], Chicago Tribune, February 7, 1974, p. A2. Calculator is advertised as having a list price of $129.95 and a sale price of $75.88.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1973-1974
maker
Summit International Corporation
ID Number
1986.0988.280
catalog number
1986.0988.280
accession number
1986.0988
This handheld electronic calculator has a black plastic case with twenty rectangular plastic keys. The keys include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, four arithmetic function keys, a total key, a % key, a clear key, and a clear entry key.
Description
This handheld electronic calculator has a black plastic case with twenty rectangular plastic keys. The keys include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, four arithmetic function keys, a total key, a % key, a clear key, and a clear entry key. The memory key may serve for storage or accumulation. Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit red LED display. The on/off switch is right of it. A power jack is on the back edge. A tag on the front reads: Summit.
A tag on the back of the calculator gives operating instructions. It reads in part: SUMMIT INTERNATIONAL CORP. (/) Serial No. M13014 Model K08M (/) Salt Lake City, Utah MANUFACTURED BY NCE NUCLEAR (/) made in U.S.A.
Compare to 1986.0988.282 and 1986.0988.287.
Reference:
[Advertisement], Fairbanks (Alaska) Daily News-Miner, July 9, 1973, p. 6. Advertised as selling for $115.
[Advertisement], Salt Lake City Tribune, November 10, 1977, p. 17. Offered in closeout sale for $1.88.
Guy Ball, “Summit a Man and the Idea,” International Calculator Collector. A version of this article is online, accessed November 19, 2014.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1973
maker
Summit International Corporation
ID Number
1986.0988.072
catalog number
1986.0988.072
accession number
1986.0988
This unusually compact handheld electronic calculator has a black plastic case and an array of eighteen plastic keys, seventeen of them square and one (the zero key) rectangular.
Description
This unusually compact handheld electronic calculator has a black plastic case and an array of eighteen plastic keys, seventeen of them square and one (the zero key) rectangular. These include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, four arithmetic function keys, a clear entry key, and a clear key. The on/off switch is left of the top three keys. An eight-digit red LED display is behind this. A tag on the front edge reads: Summit. A jack for a power supply is on the left side. The back of the calculator has a compartment for a nine-volt battery. A sticker on the lid of the compartment reads: “Tom Thumb” (/) CALCULATOR WILL OPERATE FROM (/) 9 VOLT BATTERY OR OPTIONAL (/) SUMMIT ADAPTER. Further text reads: MODEL SM8 (/) SERIAL NO. 10933 (/) Tm SUMMIT INTERNATIONAL CORP. (/) SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH.
References:
[Advertisement], Salina (Kansas) Journal, December 28, 1973, p. 17. Summit SM8 selling for $53.24.
[Advertisement], Ogden (Utah) Standard-Examiner, January 8, 1974. Summit SM8 advertised as selling for $39.97.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1973
maker
Summit International Corporation
ID Number
1986.0988.073
catalog number
1986.0988.073
accession number
1986.0988
This handheld electronic calculator has a black plastic case with twenty-one rounded rectangular plastic keys. These include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a constant key, two memory keys, four arithmetic function keys, a total key, a % key, and a clear key.
Description
This handheld electronic calculator has a black plastic case with twenty-one rounded rectangular plastic keys. These include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a constant key, two memory keys, four arithmetic function keys, a total key, a % key, and a clear key. The on/off switch is on the left of the top row of the keyboard. A tag in this row reads: SM20. A tag along the front edge reads: Summit. Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit red LED display.
The back of the calculator has a silver-colored tag on the battery compartment that reads in part: Summit Sm20. It also reads: MODEL SM20 (/) SERIAL NO. 24272 (/) Tm SUMMIT INTERNATIONAL CORP. (/) SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH. The battery compartment would hold a nine-volt battery. Above the tag is a jack for a power supply.
Compare 1986.0988.281.
Reference:
[Advertisement], Carol (Iowa) Daily Times Herald, September 10, 1975, p. 39. Summit SM20 advertised as on sale for $16.97, regular price $18.97. Calculator shown is not this model.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1974
maker
Summit International Corporation
ID Number
1986.0988.019
catalog number
1986.0988.019
accession number
1986.0988
This relatively early American handheld electronic calculator has a black plastic case and an array of eighteen indented plastic keys (the Texas Instruments Klixon type), most of them square. The zero key and the decimal point key are rectangular.
Description
This relatively early American handheld electronic calculator has a black plastic case and an array of eighteen indented plastic keys (the Texas Instruments Klixon type), most of them square. The zero key and the decimal point key are rectangular. In addition to ten digit keys, a decimal point key and four arithmetic function keys, the calculator has a display key, a clear entry key and a clear key. Text left of the top three keys reads: si. Behind the keys is an eight-digit red LED display. Next to the display are an on/off switch and a constant switch.
A label on the front edge reads: Summit. A jack for a power adapter is on the back side.
An owner’s mark at the top of the back reads: 370-40-7975 (/) P49728. Scratched along the bottom of the back is the mark: SHARON SIGMUND. A sticker on the back gives operating instructions. It reads in part: SUMMIT INTERNATIONAL CORP. (/) Serial No. 80056 Model K-16 (/) Salt Lake City, Utah (/) MANUFACTURED BY NCE NUCLEAR (/) made in U.S.A.
References:
[Advertisement], Chicago Tribune, February 1, 1973, p. E2. Summit K-16 “mini calculator” advertised as regularly priced at $99.97, on sale for $89.97. Reportedly designed for the home office.
[Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, October 21, 1973, p. D15. “New SUMMIT K-16 rechargeable portable” advertised as selling for $69.95.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1973
maker
Summit International Corporation
ID Number
1986.0988.071
catalog number
1986.0988.071
accession number
1986.0988
This is the most advanced of the Summit scientific handheld calculators in the Smithsonian collections. It has a dark brown and tan plastic case and an array of thirty-six rectangular plastic keys.
Description
This is the most advanced of the Summit scientific handheld calculators in the Smithsonian collections. It has a dark brown and tan plastic case and an array of thirty-six rectangular plastic keys. The lower four rows of keys include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a pi key, a total key, a memory key, a clear entry key, a clear key, and four arithmetic function keys. Above this are keys for a wide variety of functions, including shifting from degrees to radians, logarithms to the base ten, natural logarithms, exponents, trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions, reciprocals, square roots, powers, parentheses, switching the content of registers, and change sign. Behind the keyboard is a ten-digit display with further lights for sign and two-digit exponent. A jack for a power adapter is at the back. A tag on the front reads: Summit.
A tag on the back of the calculator reads: THE SCIENTIFIC. It also reads: MODEL SI-90 (/) SERIAL NO. 51832 (/) Tm SUMMIT INTERNATIONAL CORP> (/) SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH.
The calculator has a black leather zippered, cloth-lined case. It also has a black AC adapter-charger. Both of these are marked: Summit. The instrument is in a foam case that fits in a cardboard box. The price on one tag on the box is $149.95, marked down to $69.95, marked down to $31.99. The price on another tag is $109.95, marked down to $31.98.
References:
[Advertisement], The Daily Herald (Provo, Utah), September 24, 1975, p. 15. Close-out sale on Summit calculators, including SI-90. List price of that model is $99, on sale for $49.
[Advertisement], Desert News, March 3, 1976, p. 20A. Factory closeout sale on the Summit SI90 lists a price of $49.
Guy Ball and Bruce Flamm, The Complete Collector’s Guide to Pocket Calculators, Tustin, CA: Wilson/Barnett, 1997, p. 149.
Summit International Corporation, Professional calculator for the scientist, engineer and mathematician: Instruction Manual for: SUMMIT SI90, Salt Lake City, Utah: Summit International, no date. This manual is online at wass.net, accessed November 21, 2014. Summit International is listed here as a subsidy of Trans Atlas Corporation.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1974
maker
Summit International Corporation
ID Number
1986.0988.297
catalog number
1986.0988.297
accession number
1986.0988
This handheld electronic calculator has a tan and brown plastic case with twenty-one rectangular plastic keys. These include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, two memory keys, four arithmetic function keys, a total key, a % key, a clear entry key, and a clear key.
Description
This handheld electronic calculator has a tan and brown plastic case with twenty-one rectangular plastic keys. These include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, two memory keys, four arithmetic function keys, a total key, a % key, a clear entry key, and a clear key. The 9 key also can be used to set the calculator in “add-mode” for entering numbers with two decimal digits. The on/off switch is on the left side. A tag next to the topmost key reads: SL-8M. A tag along the front edge reads: Summit. Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit red LED display.
The back of the calculator has a silver-colored tag that reads in part: Tm SUMMIT INTERNATIONAL CORP. (/) SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH (/) SERIAL NO. 29422 (/) MODEL SL-8M (/) MADE IN U.S.A. A tag below this seals the battery door. It reads in part: DO NOT REMOVE (/) BATTERY DOOR. Below this is a battery compartment for two N or ½ AA batteries. At the top of the back is a jack for a power supply.
The calculator has a sheet of instructions entitled: SL8M. The instrument fits in a brown leather, cloth-lined zippered case that is marked: Summit.
References:
[Advertisement], Salt Lake City Tribune, April 22, 1976, p. 38. Inventory clearance has offer of Summit SL-8M for $12.88.
Summit International Corporation, Instruction Manual for SL8M Miniature Electronic Calculator, Salt Lake City: Summit. An electronic version of this manual is available at wass.net.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1974
maker
Summit International Corporation
ID Number
1986.0988.296
catalog number
1986.0988.296
accession number
1986.0988
This American handheld electronic calculator has an off-white plastic case and an array of seventeen indented plastic keys (the Texas Instruments Klixon type, but smaller), most of them square. The zero key and the decimal point key are rectangular.
Description
This American handheld electronic calculator has an off-white plastic case and an array of seventeen indented plastic keys (the Texas Instruments Klixon type, but smaller), most of them square. The zero key and the decimal point key are rectangular. In addition to ten digit keys, a decimal point key and four arithmetic function keys, the calculator has a clear entry key and a clear key. A sticker left of the top two keys reads: Summit. Behind the keys is an eight-digit red LED display. On the left side are an on/off switch and a constant switch.
A jack for a power adapter is on the front side.
A sticker on the back reads in part: SUMMIT INTERNATIONAL CORP. (/) Salt Lake City, Utah (/) SEE MANUAL FOR OPERATION (/) Serial No. 115981 (/) Model No. MB-8 (/) Made in U.S.A. Below the sticker is a compartment for a nine-volt battery.
No advertisements found.
Compare 1986.0988.070.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1972-1973
maker
Summit International Corporation
ID Number
1986.0988.283
catalog number
1986.0988.283
accession number
1986.0988
This is one of Summit’s scientific handheld electronic calculators, advertised in the Chicago Tribune in September 1973 as an “electronic slide rule with memory.” It has a tan plastic case with metal trim and twenty rectangular plastic keys.
Description
This is one of Summit’s scientific handheld electronic calculators, advertised in the Chicago Tribune in September 1973 as an “electronic slide rule with memory.” It has a tan plastic case with metal trim and twenty rectangular plastic keys. These keys include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a total key, four arithmetic function keys, a memory key, a % key, a clear key and a clear entry key. Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit red LED display. The on/off switch is right of this. The back edge of the calculator has a power jack as well as buttons for reciprocals, squares, and square roots. A mark on the front edge reads: Summit.
A sticker on the back of the calculator gives operating instructions. It reads toward the bottom: SUMMIT INTERNATIONAL CORP. (/) Serial No. EF 16427 Model SE 88M (/) Salt Lake City, Utah (/) MANUFACTURED BY NCE NUCLEAR (/) made in U.S.A.
The SE 88M Instruction Manual accompanies the calculator.
Compare 1986.0988.284 and 1986.0988.279, two examples of the Summit SRM.
References:
[Advertisement], Chicago Tribune, September 11, 1973, p. C5. Calculator described (although model number not given) as having a list price of $129.95 and a sale price of $109.88.
John Donnex, “Student Government rents calculators today,” Technician, 54, no. 5, September 7, 1973, p. 1. North Carolina State University is leasing 200 Summit SE 88m calculators for students to rent for $1 a day, $5 a week or $15 a month.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1973-1974
maker
Summit International Corporation
ID Number
1986.0988.278
catalog number
1986.0988.278
accession number
1986.0988
This handheld electronic calculator has a black plastic case with twenty-one rectangular plastic keys. These include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a constant key, two memory keys, four arithmetic function keys, a total key, a % key, and a clear key.
Description
This handheld electronic calculator has a black plastic case with twenty-one rectangular plastic keys. These include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a constant key, two memory keys, four arithmetic function keys, a total key, a % key, and a clear key. The on/off switch is on the left of the top row of the keyboard. A tag along the front edge reads: Summit. Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit red LED display.
The back of the calculator has a silver-colored tag on the battery compartment that reads in part: Summit Sm20. It also reads: MODEL SM20 (/) SERIAL NO. 26861 (/) Tm SUMMIT INTERNATIONAL CORP. (/) SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH. The battery compartment would hold a nine-volt battery. Above the tag is a jack for a power supply.
Compare 1986.0988.019.
[Advertisement], Carol (Iowa) Daily Times Herald, September 10, 1975, p. 39. Summit SM20 advertised as on sale for $16.97, regular price $18.97. Calculator shown is not this model.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1974
maker
Summit International Corporation
ID Number
1986.0988.281
catalog number
1986.0988.281
accession number
1986.0988
This relatively early American handheld electronic calculator has an off-white plastic case and an array of eighteen indented plastic keys (the Texas Instruments Klixon type), most of them square. The zero key and the decimal point key are rectangular.
Description
This relatively early American handheld electronic calculator has an off-white plastic case and an array of eighteen indented plastic keys (the Texas Instruments Klixon type), most of them square. The zero key and the decimal point key are rectangular. In addition to ten digit keys, a decimal point key and four arithmetic function keys, the calculator has a clear entry key, a clear key, and a display key. Left of the three topmost keys is a dial used to set the position of the decimal point in the display. Behind the keys is an eight-digit red LED display. Right of it are an on/off switch and a constant switch. A sticker along the front edge reads: Summit.
A jack for a power adapter is on the front side.
A sticker on the back gives operating instructions. It reads in part: SUMMIT INTERNATIONAL CORP. (/) Serial No. 110501A Model Ko8 (/) Salt Lake City, Utah (/) MANUFACTURED BY NCE NUCLEAR (/) made in U.S.A.
References:
[Advertisement], The Times (San Mateo, California), June 14, 1972, p. 50. Calculator advertised as selling for $139.95.
[Advertisement], Chicago Tribune, June 25, 1972, p. N10. Calculator advertised as selling for $189.
[Advertisement], Express and News (San Antonio), October 8, 1972, p. 18. Calculator described in detail, advertised as on sale for $139.95.
[Advertisement], Chicago Tribune, November 23, 1972, p. N7. Calculator on sale for $114.88, regular price $189.
[Advertisement], Chicago Tribune, January 18, 1973, p. A13. Calculator on sale for $109.88, regular price $189.50.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1972-1973
maker
Summit International Corporation
ID Number
1986.0988.285
catalog number
1986.0988.285
accession number
1986.0988
This American handheld electronic calculator has an off-white plastic case and an array of seventeen indented plastic keys (the Texas Instruments Klixon type, but smaller), most of them square. The zero key and the decimal point key are rectangular.
Description
This American handheld electronic calculator has an off-white plastic case and an array of seventeen indented plastic keys (the Texas Instruments Klixon type, but smaller), most of them square. The zero key and the decimal point key are rectangular. In addition to ten digit keys, a decimal point key, and four arithmetic function keys, the calculator has a clear entry key and a clear key. A sticker left of the top two keys reads: Summit. Behind the keys is an eight-digit red LED display. On the left side are an on/off switch and a constant switch. A jack for a power adapter is on the front side.
A sticker on the back reads in part: SUMMIT INTERNATIONAL CORP. (/) Salt Lake City, Utah (/) SEE MANUAL FOR OPERATION (/) Serial No. 112020 (/) Model No. MB-8 (/) Made in U.S.A. Below the sticker is a compartment for a nine volt battery.
The calculator comes with a leather, cloth-lined, zippered case marked on the front: Summit. It also has a black power adapter marked in part: SUMMIT INTERNATIONAL CORP. These pieces, along with an instruction manual for the MB10 and MB8 Summit calculators, fit in foam, which in turn fits in a paper sleeve. A price tag on the sleeve reads $29.95, marked down to $14.95.
The calculator carried out calculations of up to twenty digits, and displayed the eight most significant digits.
No advertisements found.
Compare 1986.0988.283.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1972-1973
maker
Summit International Corporation
ID Number
1986.0988.070
catalog number
1986.0988.070
accession number
1986.0988
This handheld electronic calculator has a black plastic case and twenty rectangular plastic keys. The keys include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, four arithmetic function keys, a total key, a % key, a clear key, and a clear entry key.
Description
This handheld electronic calculator has a black plastic case and twenty rectangular plastic keys. The keys include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, four arithmetic function keys, a total key, a % key, a clear key, and a clear entry key. The 9 key can also be used to assure that entries have a two decimal points in the digits (as in dollars and cents). The memory key may serve for storage or accumulation. Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit red LED display. The on/off switch is right of it. A power jack and light are on the back edge. A tag on the front reads: Summit.
A tag on the back of the calculator gives operating instructions. It reads in part: SUMMIT INTERNATIONAL CORP. (/) Serial No. MR 15708 Model MR 8 (/) Salt Lake City, Utah MANUFACTURED BY NCE NUCLEAR (/) made in U.S.A. A label attached at the top of the back reads in pen: FLASHING.
Compare 1986.0988.072 and 1986.0988.072.
References:
[Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, October 21, 1973, p. D15. “New SUMMIT MR-8 Dual-memory rechargeable portable” advertised as selling for $199.95.
[Advertisement], Chicago Tribune, December 26, 1973, p. C8. Summit MR-8 calculator on sale for $89.88, regular price $119.95.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1973
maker
Summit International Corporation
ID Number
1986.0988.287
catalog number
1986.0988.287
accession number
1986.0988
This is one of Summit’s scientific handheld electronic calculators. It has a black plastic case and twenty rectangular plastic keys.
Description
This is one of Summit’s scientific handheld electronic calculators. It has a black plastic case and twenty rectangular plastic keys. These keys include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a total key, four arithmetic function keys, a memory key, a % key, a clear key, and a clear entry key. Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit red LED display. The on/off switch is right of this. The back edge of the calculator has a power jack as well as buttons for reciprocals, squares, and square roots. A mark on the front edge reads: Summit.
The serial number on the back is 13903.
Compare 1986.0988.279, another examples of the Summit SRM, and 1986.0988.278, a Summit SE 88M.
References:
[Advertisement], The Salt Lake Tribune, January 23, 1974, p. 40. Summit SRM, in black, on sale for $72.66.
[Advertisement], The Salt Lake Tribune, February 20, 1974, p. 6. Summit SRM, in black, on sale for $66.96.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1973-1974
maker
Summit International Corporation
ID Number
1986.0988.284
catalog number
1986.0988.284
accession number
1986.0988
This American handheld electronic calculator has a tan plastic case and an array of eighteen indented plastic keys (the Texas Instruments Klixon type), most of them square. The zero key and the decimal point key are rectangular.
Description
This American handheld electronic calculator has a tan plastic case and an array of eighteen indented plastic keys (the Texas Instruments Klixon type), most of them square. The zero key and the decimal point key are rectangular. In addition to ten digit keys, a decimal point key, and four arithmetic function keys, the calculator has a display key, a clear entry key, and a clear key. Text left of the top three keys reads: si. Behind the keys is an eight-digit red LED display. Next to the display are an on/off switch and a constant switch.
A label on the front edge reads: Summ (. . .). A jack for a power adapter is on the back side.
A sticker on the back gives operating instructions. It reads in part: SUMMIT INTERNATIONAL CORP. (/) Serial No. 13187 Model Ko9V (/) Salt Lake City, Utah (/) made in U.S.A.
The calculator has a brown leather cloth-lined zippered case. A mark on the case reads: Summit.
Compare 1986.0988.71 (the Model K-16).
Reference:
[Advertisement], Chicago Tribune, June 28, 1973, p. S_A5. This model calculator on sale for $79.88, regular price $89.95.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1973
maker
Summit International Corporation
ID Number
1986.0988.286
catalog number
1986.0988.286
accession number
1986.0988
This is one of Summit’s scientific handheld electronic calculators. It has a white plastic case and twenty rectangular plastic keys.
Description
This is one of Summit’s scientific handheld electronic calculators. It has a white plastic case and twenty rectangular plastic keys. These keys include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a total key, four arithmetic function keys, a memory key, a % key, a clear key and a clear entry key. Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit red LED display. The on/off switch is right of this. The back edge of the calculator has a power jack as well as buttons for reciprocals, squares, and square roots. A mark on the front edge reads: Summit.
A sticker on the back reads in part: SUMMIT INTERNATIONAL CORP. (/) Serial No. 1905 Model SRM (/) Salt Lake City, Utah (/) made in U.S.A.
The SRM Instruction Manual accompanies the calculator.
Compare 1986.0988.284, another examples of the Summit SRM, and 1986.0988.278, a Summit SE 88M.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1973-1974
maker
Summit International Corporation
ID Number
1986.0988.279
catalog number
1986.0988.279
accession number
1986.0988
This handheld electronic calculator has a tan plastic case with metal trim and twenty rectangular plastic keys. The keys include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, four arithmetic function keys, a total key, a % key, a clear key, and a clear entry key.
Description
This handheld electronic calculator has a tan plastic case with metal trim and twenty rectangular plastic keys. The keys include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, four arithmetic function keys, a total key, a % key, a clear key, and a clear entry key. The 9 key can also be used to assure that entries have a two decimal points in the digits (as in dollars and cents). The memory key may serve for storage or accumulation. Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit red LED display. The on/off switch is right of it. A power jack and light are on the back edge. A tag on the front reads: Summit.
A tag on the back of the calculator gives operating instructions. It reads in part: SUMMIT INTERNATIONAL CORP. (/) Serial No. 4538 Model MR 8 (/) Salt Lake City Utah MANUFACTURED BY NCE NUCLEAR (/) made in U.S.A.
Compare 1986.0988.072 and 1986.0988.287.
References:
[Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, October 21, 1973, p. D15. “New SUMMIT MR-8 Dual-memory rechargeable portable” advertised as selling for $199.95.
[Advertisement], Chicago Tribune, December 26, 1973, p. C8. Summit MR-8 calculator on sale for $89.88, regular price $119.95.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1973
maker
Summit International Corporation
ID Number
1986.0988.282
catalog number
1986.0988.282
accession number
1986.0988

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.