Wang 700 Electronic Calculator

Wang 700 Electronic Calculator

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Description
In March of 1968, An Wang saw a prototype of Hewlett-Packard’s HP9100 programmable desktop calculator. This machine reduced the task of finding many scientific functions from programming to pushing a key. In response, Wang Laboratories announced plans for a new set of calculators for the scientific and engineering communities, the series 700 advanced programming calculator. The instrument came on the market in mid-1969.
A large keyboard at the front of the machine includes keys for entering digits, carrying out arithmetic operations, and finding squares, square roots, and reciprocals. A separate key enters the number pi. Another set of keys performs operations for both logarithms and exponents in base e and base 10. Special function keys above the digit keys are set for trigonometric and hyperbolic functions. A tape cassette on the right above the keyboard allows for entering programs via magnetic tape. Left of the tape drive is a Nixie tube display that shows up to twelve digits in two registers, followed by the sign of the exponent and the exponent.
A mark on the front left of the calculator reads: WANG. A metal tag at the back reads: Wang Laboratories, Inc. (/) ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR (/) MODEL NO. 700C (/) SERIAL No. 811055-C (/) TEWKSBURY, MASS. U.S.A. Marks on the rightmost column of keys confirm that is a model Wang 700C, having debugging features characteristic of that machine. It was released in 1972. A paper sticker on the right back reads: JUL 8 1970 [sic]. The July date is scribbled over one reading JUN 3. Hence the object dates from at least 1970, most probably about 1972.
Documentation received with the calculator dates from 1969, 1970, and 1972.
Reference:
An extensive discussion of the Wang 720C advanced programming calculator is at The Old Calculator Web Museum.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
electronic calculator
date made
ca 1972
maker
Wang Laboratories
place made
United States: Massachusetts, Tewksbury
Physical Description
glass (display material)
plastic (keys material)
metal (case material)
Measurements
overall: 18.5 cm x 48.2 cm x 53.3 cm; 7 9/32 in x 18 31/32 in x 20 31/32 in
ID Number
1983.0171.01
catalog number
1983.0171.01
accession number
1983.0171
Credit Line
Gift of Marie K. Wolf
subject
Business
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Computers
Computers & Business Machines
Trigonometry
Desktop Electronic Calculators
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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Comments

I worked for the Engineering Department, of the County of Los Alamos, New Mexico from 1966 to 1993. I was a Land Surveyor and reviewed subdivision plats. I had a Wang 700 which was connected to an IBM Selectric Typewriter. If I remember correctly, it only had 960 program line but it increased my productive by a factor of ten. I had to program in Trigonometric functions. It was wonderful not to have to look up functions in a book and us logarithm.

Joe Washburn

Thu, 2020-01-23 11:10

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