As a public health precaution due to COVID-19, all Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo are temporarily closed. We are not announcing a reopening date at this time and will provide updates on our website and social media.

Radio Shack EC-221 Handheld Electronic Calculator

Radio Shack EC-221 Handheld Electronic Calculator

<< >>
Usage conditions apply
Downloads
Description
This basic handheld electronic calculator has a plastic case in two shades of gray and nineteen oval indented plastic keys. These include ten digit keys, four arithmetic function keys, a % key, a total key, a decimal point key, a clear key, and a clear entry key. At the left in the top row of keys is an on/off switch. Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit red LED display. Text at the top reads: Radio Shack. A jack for a power adapter is on the left side.
The back of the calculator has a battery compartment for a nine-volt battery. A sticker below this reads: CAT. NO 65-609 (/) MODEL EC-221 (/) Radio Shack (/) A Division of Tandy Corporation (/) DC 9V (/) FOR 120V AC OPERATION (/) USE AC ADAPTER 65-731 (/) Serial No. 136626 (/) Made in Hong Kong.
The calculator is in its original white cardboard box. The box describes the "Radio Shack basic five function calculator" as "ideal for all ages."
Compare to the Radofin 1610 (1986.0988.256).
Reference:
Radio Shack, A Tandy Company, 1977 Catalog No. 276, p. 152, accessed September 22, 2014, at radioshackcatalogs.com. The price listed is $10.95.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
electronic calculator
date made
1977
maker
Tandy Corporation
place made
China: Hong Kong
Physical Description
plastic (keys; case; display cover material)
metal (circuitry material)
paper (sticker; box material)
Measurements
overall: 7/8 in x 2 5/8 in x 5 1/8 in; 2.2225 cm x 6.6675 cm x 13.0175 cm
ID Number
1986.0988.221
catalog number
1986.0988.221
accession number
1986.0988
Credit Line
Gift of John B. Priser
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Computers
Handheld Electronic Calculators
Computers & Business Machines
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Nominate this object for photography.   

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.

Note: Comment submission on our collection pages is temporarily unavailable. Please check back soon!

If you have a question or require a personal response, please visit our FAQ or contact page.