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
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Canon Palmtronic 8 Mini Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This handheld electronic calculator has a black plastic case. In addition to ten digit keys, it has a decimal point key and a percentage key, an on/off switch, and yellow clear and clear indicator keys above the digit keys, and blue arithmetic function keys and a total key on the right. Behind these is an eight-digit green fluorescent display. A mark above the display reads: Canon Palmtronic 8 mini.
- At the bottom of the back is a compartment for two AA batteries. A sticker on the inside of the lid of the compartment reads: 376297. There is no outlet for an adapter. Text on the back reads: Canon (/) Palmtronic 8 Mini (/) BM D.C. 5 V 0.3W (/) CANON, INC. (/) JAPAN (/) USE PENLIGHT BATTERY 1.5Vx2.
- According to Ball and Flamm, this calculator was advertised in 1976 as selling for $8.95.
- Reference:
- Guy Ball and Bruce Flamm, The Complete Collector’s Guide to Pocket Calculators, Tustin, CA: Wilson/Barnett, 1997, p. 45.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1976
- maker
- Canon, Inc.
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.029
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.029
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Ultima Eletac 10 Desktop Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This lightweight, non-printing electronic calculator has an array of nine digit keys with a slightly larger 0 key and a decimal point key below these. On the right are keys for arithmetic operations. On the left are K, clear, and clear entry keys. The tubes above the keyboard show results up to ten digits in length.
- A mark above the display on the right reads: ELETAC10. A sticker attached above the display on the left reads: Ultima. Letters attached to the front left read: MUDEN. A tag attached to the bottom reads: ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR (/) ELETAC 10. It also reads: SERIAL NO. 320636 (/) Ultima Electronics, Ltd. (/) Made in Japan.
- Removing four screws from the bottom of the machine releases the cover. One circuit board is at the base, one holds the tubes that make up the display, and one lies under the keyboard. The calculator chip on the base has a Texas Instruments logo and reads: TMS0118NC (/) C7339. The "7339" is date code that refers to the 39th week of 1973, which is when the chip was manufactured.
- A February 13, 1973, article in the New York Times lists Muden as one of several companies that sold electronic calculators. On August 17, 1976, Ultima Electronics, Ltd., in Melville, N.Y., filed trademarks for MUDEN (first used in commerce in the United States in June of 1976) and ULTIMA (first used in commerce in the United States in October of 1975). These trademarks were registered in 1978. By 1989 Ultima Electronics was in Taiwan. As the Eletac 10 never gained wide sales, it seems likely that this example was sold about 1976.
- References:
- R.Metz, “Market Place,” New York Times, February 9, 1973, p. 46.
- Images of another example of this machine, with detailed photographs, are at http://www.devidts.com/be-calc/, accessed April 2, 2013.
- Yet another example of this machine, with a related Japanese advertisement, is in the Japanese virtual calculator museum at http://www.dentaku-museum.com/, accessed April 2, 2013.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1976
- maker
- Ultima Electronics, Ltd.
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.001
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.001
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Casio Mini Card LC-78 Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This credit card-sized, lightweight handheld electronic calculator has an aluminum case, plastic keys and display cover, a plastic circuit board, and various metal circuitry. In addition to an array of ten digit keys, a decimal point key, and a total key, it has a column of four arithmetic function keys immediately to the right of the digit keys, and a column with a percentage key and three memory keys on the far right. The on/off switch is above the keyboard and the AC (all clear) and clear keys are left of the digit keys. The eight-digit liquid crystal display is above and to the left of the keyboard. A mark below it reads: CASIO- MINI CARD (/) ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR (/) LC-78. A mark on the back reads: CASIO-MINI CARD (/) BM 1.5V x 2 (DC) 0.0006W (/) CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD. (/) LC-78 MADE IN JAPAN.
- A screw on the right side of the back holds it to the front. Unscrewing it reveals the circuitry and a space for two squat cylindrical batteries. A sticker on the inside of the back of the case reads: 4595189. A mark on the chip reads: B6.
- According to an October, 1978, advertisement in the Los Angeles Times, the Casio LC78 was regularly priced at $29.99 and then on sale for $26.99. A December, 1978, advertisement in the same newspaper is entitled “For someone you love who loves being accurate: the math machines.” It describes several calculators, including the LC78. It gives a price of $29.99. By June 1980, the Washington Post lists a sale price for the Mini Card of $14.99.
- References:
- Los Angeles Times, October 18, 1978, p. F12.
- Los Angeles Times, December 10, 1978, p. A26.
- Washington Post, June 13, 1980, p. A29.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1978-1980
- maker
- Casio Computer Company
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.023
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.023
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Radio Shack EC-241 Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This inexpensive handheld electronic calculator has a gray plastic case and twenty rectangular plastic keys. This includes ten digit keys, a decimal point key, four arithmetic function keys, a total key, a % key, two memory keys, and a clear entry/clear key. Above is an on/off switch and behind this an eight-digit LED display. A mark behind it reads: Radio Shack. A jack for a power adapter is on the right side.
- The back of the calculator has a compartment for a nine volt battery. A sticker below this reads:
- CAT. NO 65-611 (/) MODEL EC-241 (/) Radio Shack (/) A DIVISION OF TANDY CORPORATION (/) DC 9V (/) FOR 120V AC OPERATION (/) USE AC ADAPTER 65-731 (/) SERIAL No. 124917. It also reads: 8A6 (/) MADE IN TAIWAN.
- Reference:
- Radio Shack, A Tandy Company, 1977 Catalog No. 276 , p. 152, accessed September 22, 2014, at radioshackcatalogs.com. The price listed is $4.95.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1977
- maker
- Tandy Corporation
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.042
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.042
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Montgomery Ward P50 Handheld Electronic Calculator (Model No. DNS-8660A)
- Description
- This handheld electronic calculator has a tan plastic case and seventeen rectangular plastic keys. In addition to ten digit keys and a decimal point key, it has a clear entry/clear key, four arithmetic function keys, and a total key. On the left on the copper-colored keyboard is an on/off switch. Text next to the switch reads: MONTGOMERY (/) WARD. Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit LED display. A compartment for a battery opens on the top of the back.
- A jack for a power adapter is on the left side.
- A sticker on the back gives instructions. Text at the top reads: WARDS P-50. Text at the bottom reads: Distributed by Montgomery Ward & Co., Inc. (/) Chicago, Illinois 60607 (/) Model No. DNS-8660A (/) Made in U.S.A. Serial No. 57X-152856.
- Compare Novus 850 (1986.0988.306). The calculator was made for Montgomery Ward by National Semiconductor Corporation.
- References:
- Guy Ball and Bruce Flamm, The Complete Collector’s Guide to Pocket Calculators, Tustin, CA: Wilson/Barnett, 1997, p. 102.
- Online Datamath Calculator Museum, accessed August 29, 2014.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1976-1977
- maker
- National Semiconductor Corporation
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.248
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.248
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Canon Palmtronic LC-2 Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This slim handheld electronic calculator has a silver-colored brushed metal case on the front with plastic edging and back. It has an array of ten digit keys and a decimal point key. Above these are clear, clear indicator, and three memory keys. Immediately to the right are percentage, multiplication, addition, and sign change keys. Furthest to the right are square root, division, subtraction, and total keys. Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit liquid crystal display. A mark behind this reads: Canon (/) Palmtronic LC. The on/off switch is slightly above this to the right.
- A sticker on the back reads: Canon (/) PALMTRONIC LC-2 (/) BM D.C. 4.5 V= 0.5mW (/) CANON INC. (/) NO. 628398 JAPAN (/) USE SILVER OXIDE BATTERRY 1.5Vx3. Below the sticker is a compartment for three squat cylindrical silver oxide batteries.
- The calculator fits in a brown plastic folder marked: Canon (/) Palmtronic LC. This also holds an instruction leaflet written in English, German, French, and Spanish. A number printed on the leaflet reads: 0377B100.
- A November 1976 advertisement for the Canon LC (not the LC-2) describes a similar calculator which had an AC adapter (this calculator does not). It sold for $34.99.
- Reference:
- Los Angeles Times, November 29, 1976, p. B6.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1977
- maker
- Canon, Inc.
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.261
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.261
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
National Semiconductor Whiz Kid Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This handheld electronic calculator has a plastic case with fifteen plastic keys, thirteen of them square and two rectangular. It has ten digit keys, a clear key, and four keys for arithmetic functions. Behind the keyboard are a switch marked “DECIMAL” and an on/off switch. A mark between the switches reads: WhizKid. Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit display.
- At the top of the back is a compartment for a nine-volt battery. A paper sticker below this reads in part: NS (/) ELECTRONICS 600 CALCULATOR Made in U.S.A. It also reads in part: 678010 (/) SERIAL NUMBER. It also reads in part: NS ELECTRONICS (/) A Division of (/) National Semiconductor Corp. (/) 2900 Semiconductor Drive, (/) Santa Clara, California 95051.
- According to an article in the
, the Whiz Kid is a four-function calculator introduced by the NS Electronics Division of National Semiconductor Corporation at the Consumer Electronics Show held in Chicago in June 1975. - Compare examples of the National Semiconductor 600, 1986.0988.064, 1986.0988.275, and 1986.0988.307.
- Reference:
- “Calculators Go to Grade School,” Chicago Tribune, June 7, 1975, p. N A7.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1975
- maker
- National Semiconductor Corporation
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.307
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.307
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Altair 8800 Microcomputer Plug-In Card
- Description
- A computer board for the Altair 8800 microcomputer.
- Not long after Intel introduced its 8080 microprocessor, a small firm in Albuquerque, New Mexico, named MITS (Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems) announced a computer kit called the Altair, which met the social as well as technical requirements for a small personal computer. MITS succeeded where other, more established firms had failed, and it was their machine that inaugurated the personal computer age. MITS got its start in computing in 1971, when it introduced an electronic calculator kit. Several thousand sold before 1974, when the sharp reduction in calculator prices drove the company out of that market.
- H. Edward Roberts, the Florida-born former U.S. Air Force officer who headed MITS, decided to design a small, affordable computer around the Intel 8080. His daughter named the new machine after the star Altair. It was the first microcomputer to sell in large numbers. In January 1975, a photograph of the Altair appeared on the cover of the magazine Popular Electronics. The caption read “World's First Minicomputer Kit to Rival Commercial Models.” According to the magazine, the machine sold as a kit for $395, and assembled for $498. Roberts had hoped to break even by selling 200 Altairs. Within three months he had a backlog of 4,000 orders.
- Enthusiasm for the Altair and other personal computers spawned computer hobbyist clubs, computer stores, newsletters, magazines, and conventions. By 1977, a host of companies, large and small, were producing microcomputers for a mass market. This phenomenon was abetted by a design decision to make the Altair an "open" machine. In other words, it passed data along a channel called a bus, whose specifications were not kept a secret. That way both MITS and other companies could add memory cards, cards to control a printer or other devices as long as they adhered to the published standards.
- This particular Altair was collected by the Smithsonian because it documents how hobbyists would outfit the machine with additional parts and components. The user added his own keyboard, monitor, disk drive, and 17 plug-in boards to expand the computer’s capability. Unfortunately, the original owner of the kit is unknown. The computer was donated to the Smithsonian by a second owner, Mark Sienkiewicz, who purchased it as a collectable item and never used it.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1975
- maker
- Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems
- ID Number
- 2007.0032.05.05
- catalog number
- 2007.0032.05.05
- accession number
- 2007.0032
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Altair 8800 Microcomputer Plug-In Card
- Description
- A computer board for the Altair 8800 microcomputer.
- Not long after Intel introduced its 8080 microprocessor, a small firm in Albuquerque, New Mexico, named MITS (Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems) announced a computer kit called the Altair, which met the social as well as technical requirements for a small personal computer. MITS succeeded where other, more established firms had failed, and it was their machine that inaugurated the personal computer age. MITS got its start in computing in 1971, when it introduced an electronic calculator kit. Several thousand sold before 1974, when the sharp reduction in calculator prices drove the company out of that market.
- H. Edward Roberts, the Florida-born former U.S. Air Force officer who headed MITS, decided to design a small, affordable computer around the Intel 8080. His daughter named the new machine after the star Altair. It was the first microcomputer to sell in large numbers. In January 1975, a photograph of the Altair appeared on the cover of the magazine Popular Electronics. The caption read “World's First Minicomputer Kit to Rival Commercial Models.” According to the magazine, the machine sold as a kit for $395, and assembled for $498. Roberts had hoped to break even by selling 200 Altairs. Within three months he had a backlog of 4,000 orders.
- Enthusiasm for the Altair and other personal computers spawned computer hobbyist clubs, computer stores, newsletters, magazines, and conventions. By 1977, a host of companies, large and small, were producing microcomputers for a mass market. This phenomenon was abetted by a design decision to make the Altair an "open" machine. In other words, it passed data along a channel called a bus, whose specifications were not kept a secret. That way both MITS and other companies could add memory cards, cards to control a printer or other devices as long as they adhered to the published standards.
- This particular Altair was collected by the Smithsonian because it documents how hobbyists would outfit the machine with additional parts and components. The user added his own keyboard, monitor, disk drive, and 17 plug-in boards to expand the computer’s capability. Unfortunately, the original owner of the kit is unknown. The computer was donated to the Smithsonian by a second owner, Mark Sienkiewicz, who purchased it as a collectable item and never used it.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1975
- maker
- Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems
- ID Number
- 2007.0032.05.12
- catalog number
- 2007.0032.05.12
- accession number
- 2007.0032
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Record of Punching Cards at the New York Central for the Month of April 1904
- Description
- From 1895 inventor Herman Hollerith wooed the New York Central Railroad as a commercial customer for his tabulating machines. This small paper card records his success. It reports that in April 1904, key punch operators at the Central punched a total of 428,502 cards, averaging 258 cards per clerk per hour. The record for one clerk was 70,535 cards punched, averaging 413 cards per hour.
- Reference: G. D. Austrian, Hermann Hollerith: Forgotten Pioneer of Information Processing , New York: Columbia University Press, 1982, pp. 111–141.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1904
- ID Number
- 1977.0114.08.01
- accession number
- 1977.0114
- catalog number
- 1977.0114.08.01
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Texas Instruments TI Business Analyst Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This handheld electronic calculator is similar to those of the TI SR-51 family. It has a black plastic case with an array of forty small rectangular plastic keys. In addition to ten digit keys, a decimal point key, and a change sign key (all in white), the calculator has a total key and four arithmetic function keys (all in gold). The remaining keys are brown. One is for on/clear, one is for off, and another, marked "2nd," is pushed to activate the “dual function” indicated on the keyboard above most of the brown keys. The calculator has a variety of statistical, business, and mathematical functions, and limited memory.
- Text above the keys reads: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS (/) TI Business Analyst. Behind this is an eight-digit LED display. The jack for a charger/adapter is on the right side of the calculator.
- Text on the back of the calculator (there is no sticker) reads: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS (/) electronic calculator (/) SERIAL NO. (/) 9818968 LTA4976 (/) ASSEMBLED IN USA. An empty battery pack inside the middle of the back is marked: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS BATTERY PACK BP-7.
- There are no screws to easily take apart the calculator. The device has a black plastic zippered case with a loop.
- References:
- [Advertisement], New York Times, October 19, 1976, p. 130. List calculator as selling for $42.
- [Advertisement], Washington Post, May 13, 1977, p. A29. Business Analyst on sale for $34.95, regular price $39.95.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1976
- maker
- Texas Instruments
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.055
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.055
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Craig 4509B Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This handheld electronic calculator has an array of ten digit keys, a decimal point key, and a clear entry key. Right of these is a column with four arithmetic function keys and a total key. Above the digit keys are a clear key, a percentage key, and a D key for clearing the display. A mark above the keyboard reads: CRAIG. Right of this is the on/off switch. The eight-digit LED display is behind this.
- The back of the calculator has a compartment for four batteries, with a gray ribbon to hold things in place. The compartment cover is missing. The “Operation Outline” above the battery compartment describes operating procedures. Text at the bottom of this tag reads: CRAIG 4509B SERIAL NO. 7446659 (/) CRAIG CORPORATION COMPTON CALIFORNIA 90220 MADE IN JAPAN.
- The object has a zippered leather, cloth-lined case with a hook for haning it from the belt. A mark on the front of the case reads: CRAIG.
- References:
- Guy Ball and Bruce Flamm, The Complete Collector’s Guide to Pocket Calculators, Tustin, CA: Wilson/Barnett, 1997, p. 64.
- Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, March 25, 1975, p. 16. Craig 4509B advertised as a $69.95 value selling for $37.00.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1975
- distributor
- Craig Corporation
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.086
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.086
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
APF Mark 31 Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This handheld electronic calculator has an array of ten brown plastic keys for digits and a decimal point. Above these are inversion, squaring, and square root keys. To the immediate left is an x/y exchange key, a percentage key, keys for the four arithmetic operations, and an equals/constant key. Left of these is a clear entry/clear key and a set of five memory keys. A mark above the switch reads: aPF MARK 31.
- Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit display.
- The back of the calculator has a compartment for a battery but no battery or compartment cover. A silver-colored sticker pasted to the back reads: aPF mark 31 (/) SLIDE RULE CALCULATOR. It gives operating instructions. The bottom of this label reads: MARK 31 (/) Model No. It also reads: MT-019962 (/) Serial No. Further text reads: APF ELECTRONICS INC. (/) NEW YORK, N.Y. 10022 (/) MADE IN JAPAN. A mark in the bottom left corner reads: 7545. The top edge of the calculator has a hole for an adapter but no adapter.
- An August 1976 advertisement in the Los Angeles Times lists the APF Mark 31 as on sale for $19.99. An October 1976 advertisement in The Chicago Tribune gives a regular price of $14.95 and a sale price of $13.99. An ad in the Los Angeles Times the same time gives the same prices.
- Compare 1986.0988.083 (the Montgomery Ward P203).
- References:
- Los Angeles Times, August 25, 1976, p. 11.
- Los Angeles Times, October 17, 1976, p. M20.
- Chicago Tribune, October 17, 1976, p. 40.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1976
- maker
- APF Electronics
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.168
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.168
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Texas Instruments TI-2500 (Datamath) Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This is an example of the first model of an electronic calculator marketed by Texas Instruments under its own name. The handheld electronic calculator has a tan plastic case with a dark brown keyboard. It has an array of eighteen keys, sixteen of them square and two rectangular. These include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a total key, four arithmetic function keys, a clear entry key, and a clear key. A switch at the right in the top row of keys may be set at “CHAIN” or “CONST.” A mark above this switch reads: Datamath. Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit LED display.
- A jack for a power outlet is along the back edge. An on/off switch is on the left side. A sticker on the back reads: TI-2500 electronic calculator. It also reads in part: Datamath (/) electronic calculator (/) A Product of Texas Instruments Incorporated. It also reads in part: Serial Number (/) 2500 582951. The sticker indicates that the calculator had a built-in battery that gave four to six hours of portable operation and was fully recharged in ten hours.
- Unscrewing three long screws on the back of the case allows one to remove the back. The inside has five chips. The largest reads: TMS 0119 NC (/) C 7335 (/) ZA 0072. This is a TMS0119 chip, manufactured in the thirty-fifth week of 1973. There is space for four soldered batteries.
- This appears to be the second version of the TI-2500, introduced in February of 1973 for a price of $119.95. The calculator initially was introduced in 1972.
- Compare 1986.0988.188, 1986.0988.189, 1986.0988.190, 1986.0988.342, and 1986.0988.359.
- References:
- Guy Ball and Bruce Flamm, The Complete Collector’s Guide to Pocket Calculators, Tustin, CA: Wilson/Barnett, 1997, p. 157.
- Online Datamath Museum, accessed May 13, 2015.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1973
- maker
- Texas Instruments
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.188
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.188
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Lloyd's E419 Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This handheld electronic calculator has a worn gray plastic case and twenty-four square plastic keys. In addition to ten digit keys, a decimal point key, and a total key; it has a change sign key, four arithmetic function keys, a percentage key, and four memory keys. The power switch is above this. Text behind this reads LLOYD’S. Behind this is the eight-digit vacuum fluorescent display. A power jack is on the back edge.
- A compartment at the base of the back would hold four batteries. A sticker above this reads in part: LLOYD’S 6V D.C. 300mW (/) MODEL E419 SERIES 255A. It then gives several examples for operating the calculator. Text below this reads: SERIAL NO. 5F-117623 (/) MADE IN JAPAN.
- The calculator has a black carrying case.
- For further information about Lloyd’s Electronics, Inc., see 1986.0988.218.
- References:
- [Advertisement], Albuquerque Journal, July 22, 1976, p. 25. Lloyd’s E419 advertised as on sale for $12.99.
- [Advertisement], San Antonio Express, July 22, 1976, p. 91. Lloyd’s E419 advertised as on sale for $12.99.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1976
- maker
- Lloyd's Electronics
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.217
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.217
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Victor 95 Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This handheld electronic calculator has an orange and brown plastic case with an array of seventeen large plastic keys, most of them square. These include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a total key, four arithmetic function keys, a constant key, and a clear key. The on/off switch is above these on the left. A mark right of this reads: VICTOR. Behind these is an eight-digit red LED display. A power jack is on the back edge.
- Extensive operating instructions are molded into the plastic of the back of the case. These read in part: Made in Canada For (/) VICTOR COMPTOMETER CORPORATION (/) Model No. 95 (/) Current 6 Volts D.C. Further text reads: Date Mfd. ELG41.
- A hard plastic lid fits over the calculator and also can be used to rest it at an angle.
- Victor Comptometer Corporation traced its roots to Dorr E. Felt’s invention of a key-driven mechanical adding machine called the Comptometer in the 1880s.
- Compare Radio Shack EC225 (1986.0988.039). Both devices were made in Canada by General Instrument.
- References:
- [Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, August 9, 1975, p. C4. Special price $23.95.
- Guy Ball and Bruce Flamm, The Complete Collector’s Guide to Pocket Calculators, Tustin, CA: Wilson/Barnett, 1997, p. 176.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1974
- maker
- Victor Comptometer Corporation
- General Instruments
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.247
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.247
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Unisonic 1040-1 Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- Electronic calculators were frequently advertised in March and April as aids to Americans computing personal income taxes. Federal taxes on personal income had been legalized in the United States by the passage of the Sixteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1913. A form for calculating these taxes known as the 1040 was introduced soon thereafter, and was widely known by American workers by the 1970s. Hence the name of this calculator.
- The handheld electronic calculator has a metal and plastic case with an array of twenty-seven rectangular plastic keys. These include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a total key, four arithmetic function keys, five memory keys, a square root key, a percentage key, a change sign key, an exchange key, a clear key, and a clear entry key. The only difference of the Unisonic 1040-1 from the Unisonic 1040 is the GPM memory key.
- Right of the top two keys is an on/off switch. A mark above this reads: Unisonic 1040. Behind this is an eight-digit green fluorescent display.
- A power jack is along the back edge.
- A sticker on the back gives calculation examples. A mark on it reads: 1040-1. Another mark reads: SERIAL NO. (/) 440963 (/) MADE IN TAIWAN. Below this is a compartment for four AAA batteries.
- Compare five examples of the Unisonic 1040 – 1986.0988.110 (the 1040), 1986.0988.291 (the 1040-1), 1986.0988.292 (the 1040-AT), 1986.0988.109 (the 1040-C) and 1986.0988.108 (the 1040-C). The keys are not identical.
- References:
- For a timeline of historical events relating to personal income taxes, see the website of the Internal Revenue Service at www.irs.gov.
- [Advertisement], Morning Herald [from Hagerstown, Maryland], November 28, 1975, p. 49. Selling Unisonic 1040 for $22.96.
- [Advertisement], Chicago Tribune, Septrmber 1, 1977; p. I2. Unisonic 1040 selling for $10.96, regularly $13.96.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1975
- maker
- Unisonic
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.291
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.291
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
National Semiconductor 199 Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This credit card-sized calculator has a metal case with twenty-three rectangular plastic keys and plastic trim. The keys include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a total key, four arithmetic function keys, and four memory keys. In addition, the calculator has an off key, an on/clear entry/clear key, and a % key. Above the keys, on the left side, is the eight-digit LCD display. A mark below it reads: NSC National Semiconductor 199. Left of the display are three circles.
- Text at the bottom of the back reads: NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION WEST JORDAN, UTAH 84084 MADE IN HONG KONG.
- Compare the National Semiconductor 102C (1986.0988.308), a calculator of similar size, which has a square root key.
- References:
- [Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, October 28, 1979, p. AC26. On sale for $10.77, regular price $16.95. This is the NS102 (not the NS199 or the NS102C).
- [Advertisement]. Eugene [Oregon] Register-Guard, August 13, 1979, p. 7A. NS199 calculator offered as part of a bank giveaway.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1979
- maker
- National Semiconductor Corporation
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.309
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.309
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Super Expander
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Commodore Business Machines, Inc.
- ID Number
- 1987.0249.44
- accession number
- 1987.0249
- catalog number
- 1987.0249.44
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Software, Visible Solar System
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Commodore Business Machines, Inc.
- ID Number
- 1987.0249.46
- accession number
- 1987.0249
- catalog number
- 1987.0249.46
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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