Casio Computer Company manufactured desktop calculators with scientific functions from at least 1972, when it sold its FX-1. This machine was sold by Sperry Remington as the Remington 1259S (see 2011.0108.01). In 1974, Casio introduced a handheld scientific calculator, the FX-10 (also sold by Remington as the SSR8). Casio continued to manufacture such calculators as well as simpler devices designed to do arithmetic.
In the 1970s Hewlett Packard, Compucorp, Texas Instruments and Casio began selling calculators in which a series of key commands could be combined into programs. In 1982, Casio introduced this calculator, the Casio FX-700P, which could be programmed using the programming language BASIC. The metal device with plastic trim has digit and arithmetic function keys on the right, and a full alphabetic keyboard and further function keys left of this. The on/off key is toward the left and the liquid crystal display above this. The display showed up to twelve characters.
An connection that allows one to plug in a power adapter, a thermal printer, or a cassette recorder is at the top edge, although this example has none of these attachments. A mark on the upper right side reads: CASIO (/) PROGRAMMABLE CALCULATOR (/) FX-700P.
Each key on the keyboard could be read in several ways or, to use Casio’s phrase, modes. Pressing a key entered number or letter indicated. Pressing a key and the red “symbol” mode key entered one of a series of symbols, program commands, or program numbers (up to ten programs could be stored in the calculator). Pressing a key and the blue “function” mode key allowed one to find trigonometric functions, logarithms, exponents, squares, fractions and so on. Finally, using the decimal point key and the mode key allowed one to enter letters in small typeface and a variety of other symbols.
Unscrewing screws on the back of the calculator allows one to change the two small, squat batteries. A mark on the back reads: CASIO FX-700P (/) RATING: DC 8V 0.02W (/) use BATTERY 3Vx2 (/) MADE IN JAPAN (/) BM CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
According to a review in Creative Computing in December of 1983, the Casio FX-700P with cassette interface, thermal printer and a Multipac solftware package sold retail for about $200.
This example of the device was owned by Richard C. Roberts, a professor of mathematics at the University of Maryland Baltimore County and the father of the donor.
For related documentation, see 2012.3068.01.
References:
The Casio FX-700P is discussed on several websites, including http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1002&st=1 , http://www.casio-calculator.com/Museum/ByYear/1982.html , and Viktor T. Toth, Programmable Calculators, http://www.rskey.org/.
David H. Ahl, “Casio FX-700P,” Creative Computing, 9 #12, December, 1983, p. 20.
Stephen Kiehl, “Richard Roberts,” Baltimore Sun, March 31, 2008.
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