Unisonic Mini Handheld Electronic Calculator

Description:

This handheld electronic calculator has a gray and off-white plastic case with an array of sixteen round plastic keys. These include ten digit keys (in off-white), four arithmetic function keys (the + and total keys are combined), a clear key, and an arrow key. A plate behind the keyboard reads: UNISONIC (/) MINI CALCULATOR. Behind this is a six-digit vacuum fluorescent display. The on/off switch is on the left side. A plate on the back reads in part: MADE IN JAPAN. Below this is a compartment for four AA batteries. The compartment cover is missing on this example.

Unscrewing a screw in the top of the calculator makes it possible to look at the inside. A paper sticker under the keyboard reads: 1131236. The calculator has a large Hitachi chip marked: 2K (/) HD32127P. A smaller chip is marked: NEC (/) UPD129C. It also is marked: P28475. A stamp inside the top reads: 47.10.28.

The North American Foreign Trading Corporation, founded in 1951, is a New York-based importer of electronic goods from the Far East. A subsidiary of NAFT was the Unisonic Products Corporation, incorporated in 1972. Products distributed under the Unisonic name have included radios, electronic calculators, televisions, and electronic games. According to the calculator.org website, the Unisonic Mini was introduced and discontinued in 1972. The calcmuseum website gives a date of about 1972. The Casio calculator online museum indicates that the Unisonic Mini was made by Casio.

References:

For information about NAFT, see the proceedings of the US District Court, Southern District of New York, “Advanced Global Technology LLC, Plaintiff, v XM Satellite Radio, Defendant,” September 23, 2008. This transcript is available online.

Online museum associatied with.casio-calculator.com.

[Advertisement], Washington Post, January 18, 1973, p. C4. Unisonic Mini advertised as selling for $59.99.