References

References


In addition to the references cited below, information about specific calculators is given in individual records. This list suggests both references found especially useful and the kind of sources those examining calculators may wish to consider. It is by no means complete.


Print Publications


Guy Ball and Bruce Flamm, The Complete Collector's Guide to Pocket Calculators, Tustin, CA:  Wilson/Barnett Publishing, 1997.


Kathy B. Hamrick, “The History of the Hand-Held Electronic Calculator,” American Mathematical Monthly, 102, October 1996, pp. 633–639.


Peggy Aldrich Kidwell, Amy Ackerberg-Hastings, and David Lindsay Roberts, Tools of American Mathematics Teaching, Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008.


W.A.C. Mier-Jedrzejowicz, A Guide to HP Handheld Calculators and Computers, Tustin, California: Wilson/Burnett Publishing, 1997.


U.S. International Trade Commission, “In the Matter of Certain Electronic Calculators,” Investigation No. 337-7A-198, Washington, D.C, 1985.


Websites


Rick Bensene, The Old Calculator Web Museum, http://www.oldcalculatormuseum.com


Serge Devidts, Calcuseum Vintage Electronic Calculators, http://www.calcuseum.com


Casio International website, historical section, http://www.casio-intl.com/asia-mea/en/calc/history


Datamath Calculator Museum, http://www.datamath.org


BE CALC Vintage Electronic Calculators website – this has become http://www.calcuseum.com


Epocalc, http://www.epocalc.net/


Flow Simulation Ltd., The Calculator Home Page, http://www.calculator.org


David G. Hicks, The Museum of HP Calculators, http://www.hpmuseum.org


Philippe, My Calculators Database, http://mycalcdb.free.fr


Viktor T. Toth, Programmable Calculators, http://www.rskey.org/CMS


Nigel Tout, Vintage Calculators Web Museum, http://www.vintagecalculators.com/index.html. This has links to several other websites.


John Wolff, John Wolff’s Web Museum, Calculating Machines, http://www.johnwolff.id.au


Bob Wolfson, Bob’s Calculators and Slide Rules, https://sites.google.com/site/bobscalculatorsandsliderules


Katherine Wasserman, [Digitized Calculator Manuals], http://www.wass.net/manuals

This compact scientific calculator has twenty rectangular plastic keys, each of which can take on two meanings. Keys are marked C (clear), +/- (change sign), EEX, and F (function or shift).
Description
This compact scientific calculator has twenty rectangular plastic keys, each of which can take on two meanings. Keys are marked C (clear), +/- (change sign), EEX, and F (function or shift). In addition there are ten digit keys, four arithmetic functions keys, a decimal point key, and a total key. These may take on functional values of inverse, squares, "CONV", "CF", trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions, exponents, powers, storage, logarithms, square roots, recall, pi, left and right parentheses, and summation. The on/off switch and the radian/degree switch are at the top of the keyboard.
Toward the back is a nine-digit LED display. A sticker behind it reads: Kings Point SC-11.
The power jack is on the back edge of the calculator. The back has a battery compartment and a sticker that reads in part: MODEL SC-11 (/) Made in Korea. It also reads Numbe [illegible] 0850. The black plastic carrying case is stamped: MADE IN KOREA.
Compare Kings Point scientific calculators 1986.0988.011, 1986.0988.298, 1986.0988.299, and 1986.0988.214.
No advertisements found. The calculator.org website gives a date of introduction of 1975. However, this model is not mentioned in advertisements from that year for other Kings Point calculators.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1977
maker
Kings Point Corporation
ID Number
1986.0988.214
catalog number
1986.0988.214
accession number
1986.0988
This handheld electronic calculator has some but not all of the functions of a scientific calculator. It has a metal and plastic case with twenty rounded square keys and ten rounded rectangular keys, for a total of thirty plastic keys.
Description
This handheld electronic calculator has some but not all of the functions of a scientific calculator. It has a metal and plastic case with twenty rounded square keys and ten rounded rectangular keys, for a total of thirty plastic keys. These include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a total key, four arithmetic function keys, three memory keys, and a change sign key. Keys in the top row are for powers, squares, inverses, pi, clear/clear entry, “MU Δ%,” “% 5/4,” %, square roots, and dollars. To the right of the keyboard is a switch that can be set at the values 5/4, A, 0, 2, 4, and F. This may relate to the position of the decimal point.
Above the keys is an eight-digit green fluorescent display. A mark above it reads: SHARP ELSI MATE (/) EL-8118 (/) Electronic Calculator. To the right is an on/off switch. A jack for a power adapter is along the back edge.
The back of the calculator has a compartment at the top that holds two AA batteries. A mark below this reads: ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR (/) EL – 8118. It also reads: SHARP CORPORATION (/) MADE IN KOREA. Below this is a paper sticker with American, British, Canadian, Swedish, and Australian patent numbers. The largest U.S. patent number is 3621219.
The calculator has a dark brown leatherette carrying case with a metal snap.
Reference:
[Advertisement], Washington Post, January 13, 1977, p. A19. The Sharp 8118 calculator is listed as regularly priced at $19.95, on sale for $17.95.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1976
maker
Sharp Corporation
ID Number
1986.0988.091
catalog number
1986.0988.091
accession number
1986.0988
This handheld electronic calculator has a brown and white plastic case with a gold-colored metal inset. It has an array of twenty-two rounded square keys.
Description
This handheld electronic calculator has a brown and white plastic case with a gold-colored metal inset. It has an array of twenty-two rounded square keys. These include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a % key, four arithmetic function keys, a total key, three memory keys, a square root key, and a clear/clear entry key. Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit green fluorescent display. A mark behind this reads: SHARP ELSI MATE (/) EL-8117K. An on/off button is on the left side and a jack for a power adapter along the back edge.
At the top of the back of the calculator is a compartment for two AA batteries. A sticker on the inside of this compartment reads: 78104423. Text near the center of the back reads: ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR (/) EL-8117K. Further text reads: SHARP CORPORATION (/) MADE IN KOREA. A sticker below this lists patent numbers assigned by the U.S., U.K., Australia, Canada, Sweden, and Italy. The most recent U.S. patent listed has number 3902169. It was issued in 1975 and assigned to Sharp.
The calculator is in a cardboard box with a cardboard sleeve that slides over it to serve as a cover. Also in the box are a plastic carrying case and a sheet of instructions.
References:
The calculator.org website, accessed October 22, 2014, dates this calculator to 1977. This is also the date given by the computinghistory.org.uk website.
[Advertisement], North Hills [Pennsylvania] News-Record, March 21, 1978, p. 7. Advertises calculator as regularly priced at $15.00, on sale for $10.00.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1977-1978
maker
Sharp Corporation
ID Number
1986.0988.092
catalog number
1986.0988.092
accession number
1986.0988
This handheld electronic calculator has a black and white plastic case and an array of twenty-five plastic keys. Twenty of these keys are square with rounded corners.
Description
This handheld electronic calculator has a black and white plastic case and an array of twenty-five plastic keys. Twenty of these keys are square with rounded corners. They include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a % key, four arithmetic function keys, a total key, clear and clear entry keys, and a square root key. The other five keys are rectangular memory keys (pushing one of these keys transfers a number into the memory).
Behind the keyboard is a green fluorescent display. Text above the display reads: SHARP EL-8131 SHARP (/) ELSI MATE / ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR. A jack for a power adapter is on the back edge and an on/off switch on the left side.
The back of the calculator has a compartment for two AA batteries. A paper sticker inside this compartment reads: 98397296. A mark below this reads in part: ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR (/) EL-8131. It also reads in part: SHARP CORPORATION BM (/) MADE IN KOREA. Also listed on the back is U.S. patent number 3571655. This patent was granted in 1971 and assigned to Sharp.
The calculator has a black leatherette carrying pouch with a metal snap. One side of the carrying pouch has a loop so that it could be worn on a belt.
References:
[Advertisement], Chicago Tribune, August 14, 1977, p. H31. Sharp EL-8131 advertised as on sale for $12.95.
[Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, November 29, 1978, p. B17. Sharp EL-8131 advertised as selling for $12.95.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1977-1978
maker
Sharp Corporation
ID Number
1986.0988.132
accession number
1986.0988
catalog number
1986.0988.132
This handheld electronic calculator has a brown and tan plastic case and an array of twenty square plastic keys with rounded courners.
Description
This handheld electronic calculator has a brown and tan plastic case and an array of twenty square plastic keys with rounded courners. These include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a % key, four arithmetic function keys, a clear/clear entry key, a memory key (for the total), a square root key, and a total key. Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit yellow LCD display. The on/off switch is to the left of the display. Text under the display reads: SHARP (/) ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR. A tag at the bottom of the keyboard reads: SHARP ELSI-MATE (/) EL-8034. A jack for a power cord is along the back edge.
At the bottom of the back is a compartment for two AAA batteries. A paper sticker inside this compartment reads: 88055729. Text above the compartment reads: ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR (/) EL-8034. Further text reads: SHARP CORPORATION (/) MADE IN KOREA BM. A sticker above this lists patents incorporated in the calculator. The latest of the U.S. patents has number 3902169. It was issued in 1975 and assigned to Sharp.
Compare 1986.0988.133 (Sharp EL-206).
References:
[Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, July 12, 1978, p. K4. Calculator advertised as selling in a wallet and at a special price of $10.
[Advertisement], Washington Post, August 28, 1978, p. C28. Calculator advertised as regularly priced at $14.95, on sale for $11.97.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1978
maker
Sharp Corporation
ID Number
1986.0988.136
catalog number
1986.0988.136
accession number
1986.0988
By the mid-1970s relatively inexpensive scientific calculators were available. Kings Point Corporation of Jersey City, New Jersey, distributed this Korean-made machine. The calculator has a tan and black plastic case, a black metal keyboard, and forty rectangular plastic keys.
Description
By the mid-1970s relatively inexpensive scientific calculators were available. Kings Point Corporation of Jersey City, New Jersey, distributed this Korean-made machine. The calculator has a tan and black plastic case, a black metal keyboard, and forty rectangular plastic keys. The four rows of keys at the bottom include ten digit keys, a pi key, a decimal point key, four arithmetic function keys, a total key, a summation key, a power key, and a clear key. Above this are orange store and recall keys, a register exchange key, a change sign key, and an EEX key. Function keys above this include a key for switching between radians and degrees, as well as trigonometric, inverse trigonometric, logarithmic, exponential, power, factorial, inverse, squaring, square root, and power keys.
Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit vacuum fluorescent display that has additional places for indicating the exponent (up to two digits), the sign of the entry, and the sign of the exponent. A jack for recharging the battery pack and the on/off switch are on the back edge. This example has no battery pack and no power cord. A sticker on the front reads: Kings Point SC-44f. A sticker on the back gives instructions for tending the calculator. Text reads in part: Made in Korea Number 3061B0151.
A 1976 advertisement lists the Kings Point SC-44F calculator as having a regular price of $39.95 and a sale price of $34.88; one from 1977 gives a sale price for the SC-44F of $18.88.
Compare Kings Point scientific calculators 1986.0988.011, 1986.0988.298, 1986.0988.299, and 1986.0988.214.
References:
[Advertisement], New York Times, October 23, 1975, p. 20. The SC-44 advertised as scientific calculator with remarkable range of features selling for only $49.95.
[Advertisement], Washington Post, September 10, 1976, p. A26. Kings Point SC-44 listed as selling for $39.95.
[Advertisement], Chicago Tribune, December 2, 1976, p. B20. Lists Kings Point SC-44F as on sale for $34.88, with a regular price of $39.95.
[Advertisement], Science News, 11, #23, June 4, 1977, p. 367. Advertisement lists SC-60 as having regular price of $59.95 and sale price of $49.88. This model has “scientific and statistical functions.” The SC-40 is “fully scientific” and has a regular price of $39.95 and a sale price of $28.00. The SC-44F is also “fully scientific” and costs regularly $49.95, with a sale price of $28.00.
[Advertisement], Washington Post, November 20, 1977, p. 38. Lists Kings Point SC-44F as on sale for $18.88.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1976-1977
distributor
Kings Point Corporation
ID Number
1986.0988.011
catalog number
1986.0988.011
accession number
1986.0988
This handheld electronic calculator has a blue and white plastic case with nineteen square keys with rounded corners. In addition to ten digit keys, it has a decimal point key, a total key, four arithmetic function keys, a % key, a clear key and a clear entry key.
Description
This handheld electronic calculator has a blue and white plastic case with nineteen square keys with rounded corners. In addition to ten digit keys, it has a decimal point key, a total key, four arithmetic function keys, a % key, a clear key and a clear entry key. The on/off switch is above the keyboard. Behind it is an eight-digit green fluorescent display. A tag behind this reads: SHARP ELSI MATE (/) EL-8005S. A jack for a power adapter is along the back edge.
The bottom of the back of the calculator has a compartment that holds four AA batteries. A sticker inside it reads: 58034347. Text further up on the back reads: SHARP MODEL EL-8005S (/) ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR. It also reads: SHARP CORPORATION. It also reads: MADE IN KOREA (/) BM.
Compare the Sharp EL-8114 (1986.0988.096).
According to Ball and Flamm, the only difference between the EL-8005 and the EL-8005S was in the color of the case.
References:
[Advertisement], Washington Post, May 1, 1975, p. C14. The Sharp EL-8000 is advertised as selling for $19.95.
Guy Ball and Bruce Flamm, The Complete Collector’s Guide to Pocket Calculators, Tustin, CA: Wilson/Barnett Printing, 1997, p.139.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1975
maker
Sharp Corporation
ID Number
1986.0988.095
catalog number
1986.0988.095
accession number
1986.0988
This handheld electronic calculator has a black and white plastic case and an array of twenty-two square plastic keys. The keys are colored red, white, and blue, on a larger black base.
Description
This handheld electronic calculator has a black and white plastic case and an array of twenty-two square plastic keys. The keys are colored red, white, and blue, on a larger black base. They include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a total key, four arithmetic function keys, four memory keys, a percentage key and a clear key. Left of the top two keys is an on/off switch. Behind this is an eight-digit green vacuum fluorescent display. A mark behind this reads: UNITREX (/) 901M.
An opening for a power jack is along the back edge.
A compartment at the top of the back of the calculator holds two AA batteries. A sticker below this reads in part: UNITREX (/) electronic calculator. It also reads in part: MADE IN KOREA (/) UNITREX OF U.S.A. (/) SER. NO. 5716157.
Reference:
[Advertisement], Chicago Tribune, August 29, 1976, p. S_A6. Unitrex 901M on sale for $12.95.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1976
maker
Eiko Business Machine Company
ID Number
1986.0988.244
catalog number
1986.0988.244
accession number
1986.0988
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

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