Victor Tallymate Desktop Electronic Calculator, Model 85

Description:

This four-function desktop electronic calculator has a turquoise plastic case with plastic keys in two shades of the same color. The keyboard has an array of nine digit keys with a zero bar and a decimal point key below these. Above the digit keys are clear entry, clear all, and subtraction keys. On the right is a division key and bars for multiplication and addition. Switches behind the keyboard turn the device on or off and determine the position of the decimal point in result. Behind the switches is an eight-digit display. Behind these is a battery indicator as well as two warning lights, one labeled OFL (for overflow) and the other NEG (for negative numbers).

A case for six AA batteries is on the bottom of the machine. No batteries are present. A jack for a power adapter or cord is at the back, but the adapter is not present.

A mark on the front reads: VICTOR (/) tallymate. A tag in the bottom gives instructions for using the calculator. It reads in part: MODEL – 85 (/) SERIAL NO. 059311 (/) MADE IN JAPAN (/) FOR VICTOR COMPTOMETER BUSINESS MACHINES DIVISION (/) CHICAGO ILLINOIS 60618.

According to the website of Victor Technology, the successor firm to Victor Comptometer, the calculator has a MOS-LSI calculator chip (the TMS0105) from Texas Instruments, and a vacuum fluorescent display module from ISE (DP88F). It was introduced in 1972. A newspaper advertisement from late 1973 gives a price of $79.95. Another ad, from early 1974, lists a sale price of $99.95, down from a regular price of $159.50.

References:

Website of Victor Technology, http://www.victortech.com/.

[Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, December 20, 1973, p. D4.

[Advertisement], New York Times, January 2, 1974, p. 12.

Date Made: ca 1973

Maker: Victor Comptometer Corporation

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: Japan

Subject: Business

Subject:

See more items in: Medicine and Science: Computers, Computers & Business Machines, Desktop Electronic Calculators

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: Gift of John B. Priser

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 1986.0988.062Catalog Number: 1986.0988.062Accession Number: 1986.0988

Object Name: electronic calculatorOther Terms: electronic calculator; Handheld

Physical Description: plastic (case, keys, circuit board material)metal (wiring, label material)Measurements: overall: 22.352 cm x 8.89 cm x 4.572 cm; 8 13/16 in x 3 1/2 in x 1 13/16 in

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a1-3889-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_334476

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.