Computers & Business Machines

Apple II Personal Computer

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

Name: Sharp Corporation

Sharp EL-8133 Handheld Electronic Calculator

This thin handheld electronic calculator has a metal case and twenty-four plastic rectangular keys.
Description
This thin handheld electronic calculator has a metal case and twenty-four plastic rectangular keys. These include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a % key, four arithmetic function keys, an on/clear key, a clear entry key, a square root key, clear/clear total key, and four memory keys. An on/off switch is at the top left of the keyboard. Text to the right of this reads: SHARP (/) ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR. Behind the switch and this mark is an eight-digit LCD display. A mark at the base of the front of the calculator reads: SHARP ELSI MATE (/) EL-8133.
At the base of the back of the calculator is a compartment for two squat cylindrical silver oxide batteries. A sticker on the back reads: 88422037. Text molded into the back reads in part: ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR (/) EL-8133. It also reads: SHARP CORPORATION (/) MADE IN KOREA BM.
The calculator fits into a black plastic wallet. Also in the wallet are an instruction manual, a pad of paper, a sheet of instructions for ordering memo pad refills, and a sheet warning that the display is of glass. It reads in part: “Do not put your calculator in the back pocket of your pants as it may be damaged when you sit down.” The wallet, in turn, fits into a cardboard box marked at one end: SHARP (/) EL-8133. A price tag on the box reads in part: $17.95.
References:
[Advertisement], Chicago Tribune, May 14, 1978, p. K4. Calculator selling for $17.95.
[Advertisement], Chicago Tribune, August 10, 1979, p. 13. Calculator selling for $14.95.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1978-1979
maker
Sharp Corporation
ID Number
1986.0988.272
catalog number
1986.0988.272
accession number
1986.0988

Sharp EL-5804 Handheld Electronic Calculator

This handheld electronic calculator was advertised in the Washington Post as “Sharp’s Super Slick Sliderule [sic] Built for Scientists.” It combined the shape of a slide rule with the functions of a scientific calculator, and even boasted a plastic leatherette carrying sleeve.The
Description
This handheld electronic calculator was advertised in the Washington Post as “Sharp’s Super Slick Sliderule [sic] Built for Scientists.” It combined the shape of a slide rule with the functions of a scientific calculator, and even boasted a plastic leatherette carrying sleeve.
The calculator has a metal case and thirty-two rectangular plastic keys. The rightmost column of keys has three memory keys and a total key. Left of this is a column of four arithmetic function keys. Left of this are three columns with ten digit keys, a change sign key, and a decimal point key. Function keys left of this include logarithmic, exponential, trigonometric, square root, and degree conversion keys. If an F key is pushed, these keys also can be used to find powers of e, reciprocals, pi, and inverse trigonometric functions. The clear entry/clear key and the F key are left of these function keys. Still further to the left is an on/off key, which can be set for angular measure in either degrees or radians.
At the far left is an LCD display, which gives results in scientific notation, with a six-digit mantissa and a two-digit exponent. Text below the display reads: ELSI MATE EL-5804 (/) SHARP.
The back of the calculator has a scale at the top fifteen centimeters long, divided to millimeters. A compartment on the bottom right would hold three squat cylindrical silver oxide batteries. Text next to the battery compartment reads in part: ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR (/) EL-5804. It also reads: NO. 74302580 BM (/) SHARP CORPORATION (/) MADE IN JAPAN. Further text reads: U.S. Pats 3902169 3976994. The most recent U.S. patent number listed, 3976994, was issued in 1976 and assigned to Sharp.
A mark on the brown carrying case reads: SHARP.
References:
[Advertisement], Washington Post, August 12, 1977, p. D16. Advertised as costing $34.95.
Frank Macias, “Calculating Friends: Delegate That Everyday Balancing Act to These Little Guys with Big Brains,” Los Angeles Times, November 19, 1978, p. O64.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1976-1978
maker
Sharp Corporation
ID Number
1986.0988.090
catalog number
1986.0988.090
accession number
1986.0988

Sharp QT-8B Micro Compet Electronic Calculator

This Japanese-made non-printing electronic calculator is a relatively small and light desktop machine. It has an array of nine digit keys with a 0 and a decimal key below these.
Description
This Japanese-made non-printing electronic calculator is a relatively small and light desktop machine. It has an array of nine digit keys with a 0 and a decimal key below these. On the right are a clearance key, a key for indicating that multiplication (rather than addition) should be carried out, a key for indication that division (rather than subtraction) should be carried out, and a key for multiplication or division. The machine has an eight-digit capacity for all operations. In back of the keyboard is an eight-digit display. The on-off switch is on the side.
A mark on the front left reads: SHARP. A mark on the front right reads: microCompet. A mark behind the display reads: CORDLESS. A tag attached to the back reads in part: SHARP QT-8B (/) CORDLESS MICRO COMPET/. It also says in part: NO. 0067148 (/) SHARP ELECTRONICS CORPORATION (/) 10 KEYSTONE PLACE, PARAMUS (/) NEW JERSEY 07652 MADE IN JAPAN. The black carrying case has a handle.
The calculator fits into a plastic battery unit. The unit is plugged into the wall to operate the machine on alternating current or to charge the adapter. To operate the machine on direct current, the plug is not used and the switch is turned off. A mark on the back of the adapter reads: MICRO COMPET ADAPTOR. The adaptor has a gray cloth cover.
The instruction manual that comes with the calculator indicates that the machine incorporates four ELSIs (Extra Large Scale Integrations) with one 4-phase clock generator. The calculator was advertised in American newspapers from mid-1970 into 1971. The QT-8B (with the battery pack) cost $495.
References:
Sharp Electronics Corporation, SHARP Electronic Calculator with ELSI Micro COMPET QT-8B Instruction Manual, no date.
[advertisement], Los Angeles Times, July 29, 1970, p. G5.
[advertisement], Chicago Tribune, December 2, 1970, p. G5.
[advertisement], The New York Times, January 9, 1971, p. 41.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1970
maker
Sharp Corporation
ID Number
2006.0132.22
catalog number
2006.0132.22
accession number
2006.0132

Sharp Compet CS-10A Electronic Calculator

In 1964 the Japanese firm of Hayakawa Electric (later Sharp Corporation) announced the Compet CS-10A, its first electronic calculator.
Description
In 1964 the Japanese firm of Hayakawa Electric (later Sharp Corporation) announced the Compet CS-10A, its first electronic calculator. This is an example of the device.
The heavy full-keyboard, non-printing calculator has a metal case; ten columns of gray and white plastic keys; and keys for the arithmetic functions, equality, and clearance. The result register has 21 tubes and is covered with glass. Eleven dials and a red button stretch across the front. The cover is missing on the base.
A mark on the front of the calculator above the register reads: SHARP COMPET. A mark to the right of this reads: CS-10A. A metal tag on the back reads in part: SHARP COMPET (/) MODEL CS-10A. It also reads in part: SERIAL NO. 86314 (/) HAYAKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
According to Atsushi Asada, who led the team at Hayakawa Electric that developed the instrument, it included germanium transistors built by NEC and Hitachi instead of vacuum tubes. Circuits also used diodes. Early versions of the calculator had a total of some 5,000 components. The instrument was announced on the same day that Sony announced plans to sell a calculator using transistors (May 14, 1964). Sharp would go on to make much smaller and lighter electronic calculators.
References:
Accession file.
Another example of the calculator is shown at the Vintage Calculators Web Museum at http://www.vintagecalculators.com/.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1964
maker
Sharp Corporation
ID Number
2006.0137.01
catalog number
2006.0137.01
accession number
2006.0137

Sharp Model EL-8 Electronic Calculator

This compact Japanese electronic calculator straddles the border between desktop and pocket calculators. It is too large to fit in the pocket but considerably more compact than Sharp’s QT-8B.
Description
This compact Japanese electronic calculator straddles the border between desktop and pocket calculators. It is too large to fit in the pocket but considerably more compact than Sharp’s QT-8B. It also does not require a cradle to recharge batteries.
The calculator has an array of nine digit keys, with larger 0 and decimal point keys below. Right of these are a clear key, a key for indicating that multiplication (rather than addition) should be carried out, a key for indication that division (rather than subtraction) should be carried out, and a key for multiplication or division. The machine has an eight-digit capacity for all operations. In back of the keyboard is an eight-digit display. Above these are alarm and error indicators. A switch on the side shifts between AC operation, off, and DC operation.
A mark on the front reads: SHARP. A tag on the back reads in part: SHARP MODEL EL-8. It also reads: NO. 1098161 (/) SHARP ELECTRONICS CORPORATION (/) 10 KEYSTONE PLACE, PARAMUS, N. J. 07652 (/) MADE IN JAPAN. This example lacks its AC adapter.
Inside the instrument are six nickel-cadmium batteries in a case, a calculator circuit board, a display circuit board, and eight tubes for the display. The four integrated circuits on the calculator board were made by North American Rockwell. A stamp below the calculator circuit board reads: 1098161.
The battery cover is marked in part: SHARP MODEL EL-84 (/) NICKEL-CADMIUM (/) RECHARGEABLE BATTERY. It also is marked: SHARP CORPORATION OSAKA, JAPAN. Hayakawa Electric adopted the name Sharp Corporation in January of 1970.
The SHARP EL-8 was widely advertised in the United States from early 1971 and sold for $345. This example was given to the Smithsonian by calculator collector Guy D. Ball.
Compare a slightly earlier Sharp machine, the model QT-8B (2006.0132.22). Also compare three versions of the EL-8 (1982.0656.01, 1981.0922.05, and 1991.0154.01).
References:
Examples of the Sharp EL-8 are discussed online at the Vintage Calculators Web Museum, The Old Calculators Web Museum, John Wolff’s Web Museum and the Datamath Calculator Museum.
Guy Ball and Bruce Flamm, The Complete Collector’s Guide to Pocket Calculators, Tustin, Calif..: Wilson/Barnett Publishing, 1997, pp. 136–137.
J. R. Free, "Microelectronics Shrinks the Calculator," Popular Science, 198 #6, June 1971, pp. 74–76.
“How to Cut a Pocket Calculator in Half,” Electronics, 44. February 1, 1971, no page. An ad for the EL-8 (called the ELSI-8) appeared on pp. 12–13 of this issue.
Accession file.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1971
maker
Sharp Corporation
ID Number
1991.0154.01
catalog number
1991.0154.01
accession number
1991.0154

Documentation, SHARP Electronic Calculator with ELSI Compet ELSI-8 Model EL-8 Instruction Manual

This thirty-page instruction manual was received with electronic calculator 1981.0922.05. It presents the “space-age miniaturization” of the SHARP as the result of years of pioneering research in electronic engineering.
Description
This thirty-page instruction manual was received with electronic calculator 1981.0922.05. It presents the “space-age miniaturization” of the SHARP as the result of years of pioneering research in electronic engineering. Documents in the back of the calculator indicate that the calculator was purchased October 30, 1971.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1971
maker
Sharp Corporation
ID Number
1981.0922.05.2
catalog number
1981.0922.05.02
accession number
1981.0922

AC Adapter for Sharp EL-8 Electronic Calculator

This black box for charging the battery on a Sharp EL-8 electronic calculator has two cords. One plugs into the wall, the other into the calculator. A tag on the bottom reads in part: SHARP MODEL EL-81. It also reads: 1016024. A tag on the top reads: SHARP (/) AC ADATOR.
Description
This black box for charging the battery on a Sharp EL-8 electronic calculator has two cords. One plugs into the wall, the other into the calculator. A tag on the bottom reads in part: SHARP MODEL EL-81. It also reads: 1016024. A tag on the top reads: SHARP (/) AC ADATOR. The device has a black plastic carrying case. Dimensions do not include case.
See 1981.0992.05.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1971
ca 1971
maker
Sharp Corporation
ID Number
1981.0922.05.1
accession number
1981.0922
catalog number
1981.0922.05.1

Sharp EL-8 Electronic Calculator

This compact Japanese electronic calculator straddles the border between desktop and pocket calculators. It is too large to fit in the pocket but considerably more compact than Sharp’s QT-8B.
Description
This compact Japanese electronic calculator straddles the border between desktop and pocket calculators. It is too large to fit in the pocket but considerably more compact than Sharp’s QT-8B. It does not require a cradle to recharge batteries.
The calculator has an array of nine digit keys, with larger 0 and decimal point keys below. Right of these are a clear key, a key for indicating that multiplication (rather than addition) should be carried out, a key for indication that division (rather than subtraction) should be carried out, and a key for multiplication or division. The machine has an eight-digit capacity for all operations. In back of the keyboard is an eight-digit display. Above these are alarm and error indicators. A switch is on the side shifts between AC operation, off, and DC operation.
A mark on the front reads: SHARP. A tag on the back reads in part: SHARP MODEL EL-8. It also reads: NO. 1021694 (/) SHARP ELECTRONICS CORPORATION (/) 10 KEYSTONE PLACE, PARAMUS (/) NEW JERSEY 07652 MADE IN JAPAN. An AC adaptor comes with the device and is assigned number 1981.0922.05.1. The dimensions given do not include the adaptor, the case for the adapter, or the case for the calculator.
Inside the instrument are six nickel-cadmium batteries in a case, a calculator circuit board, a display circuit board, and eight tubes for the display. The four integrated circuits on the calculator board were made by North American Rockwell. A stamp below the calculator circuit board reads: 1021694.
The battery cover is marked in part: SHARP MODEL EL-84 (/) NICKEL-CADMIUM (/) RECHARGEABLE BATTERY. It also is marked: SHARP CORPORATION OSAKA, JAPAN. Hayakawa Electric adopted the name Sharp Corporation in January of 1970.
The SHARP EL-8 was widely advertised in the United States from early 1971 and sold for $345. This example was used by NMAH curator John White. An invoice received with the device (part of 1981.0922.05.2) indicates that he purchased it October 30, 1971.
Compare a slightly earlier Sharp machine, the model QT-8B (2006.0132.22). Also compare three versions of the EL-8 (1982.0656.01, 1981.0922.05, and 1991.0154.01).
References:
Examples of the Sharp EL-8 are discussed online at the Vintage Calculators Web Museum, The Old Calculators Web Museum, John Wolff’s Web Museum and the Datamath Calculator Museum.
Guy Ball and Bruce Flamm, The Complete Collector’s Guide to Pocket Calculators, Tustin, Calif.: Wilson/Barnett Publishing, 1997, pp. 136–137.
J. R. Free, “Microelectronics Shrinks the Calculator,” Popular Science, 198 #6, June 1971, pp. 74–76.
“How to Cut a Pocket Calculator in Half,” Electronics, 44. February 1, 1971, no page. An ad for the EL-8 (called the ELSI-8) appeared on pp. 12–13 of this issue.
Sharp Electronic Calculator with ELSI Compet ELSI-8 Model EL-8 Instruction Manual, no date. This is 1981.0933.05.2.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1971
maker
Sharp Corporation
ID Number
1981.0922.05
accession number
1981.0922
catalog number
1981.0922.05

Sharp EL-6190 Memo Master Alarm 500, Personal Digital Assistant

his device stores telephone numbers, stores appointments and deadlines, serves as a calculator, and operates as a clock. It has a black cover, a keypad, a small display, and a variety of function keys.Currently not on view
Description
his device stores telephone numbers, stores appointments and deadlines, serves as a calculator, and operates as a clock. It has a black cover, a keypad, a small display, and a variety of function keys.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1990
maker
Sharp Corporation
ID Number
2012.0063.06
catalog number
2012.0063.06
accession number
2012.0063

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