MITS 816 Desktop Electronic Calcuator
MITS 816 Desktop Electronic Calcuator
- Description
- This is one of the first electronic calculators assembled from a kit. In the fall of 1969 H. Edward Roberts, an electrical engineer trained at Oklahoma State University who worked for the U.S. Air Force, founded Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems to build kits for electronic hobbyists. He incorporated the firm in New Mexico in 1970 and moved his focus from building kits for transmitting and receiving measurements over a distance (telemetry) to electronic calculators. Reflecting this shift, he soon shortened the company name to MITS.
- In November of 1971, a prototype electronic calculator developed by MITS appeared on the cover of Popular Electronics. MITS hired the journalist and author Forrest M. Mims III to prepare advertising materials and an assembly manual for the production model of the kit. This is the electronic calculator Mims assembled in the course of this work, a MITS 816.
- The non-printing calculator has ten digit keys, a decimal key, and a decimal shift key. Left of these are keys for the four arithmetic functions; an equals key; and decimal setting, clear, and clear entry keys. The interior boasts “extra large scale integrated circuitry,” in addition to transistors and other standard electronic parts. Results appear on a row of eight tubes above the keyboard. The power switch is left of the display and a constant switch to the right. A rubber cord extends from the back.
- A mark at the center below the display reads: MITS-816. A signature on the bottom reads: ASSEMBLED BY: FORREST M. MIMS, III.
- MITS produced other calculators, but dropped out of that business when the price of microprocessors fell sharply. The firm then introduced one of the first microcomputers, the Altair 8800.
- References:
- Accession File.
- MITS, 816, the First and Only Electronic Calculator Kit, 1971.
- MITS, Inc., “Offering Circular,” 1973.
- Micro instrumentation and Telemetry Systems, Inc. The 816 Electronic Calculator Assembly Instructions, Albuquerque, New Mexico: Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems, 1971.
- MITS, 816 Manual, Albuquerque, New Mexico: MITS, 1972.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1971
- maker
- Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems
- place made
- United States: New Mexico, Albuquerque
- Physical Description
- plastic (overall material)
- metal (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 4 1/2 in x 9 in x 12 1/2 in; 11.43 cm x 22.86 cm x 31.75 cm
- ID Number
- 1986.0463.02
- accession number
- 1986.0463
- catalog number
- 1986.0463.02
- Credit Line
- Gift of Forrest M. Mims, III
- subject
- Business
- See more items in
- Medicine and Science: Computers
- Desktop Electronic Calculators
- Computers & Business Machines
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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