Omar Electronic Backgammon Game

Omar Electronic Backgammon Game

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Description
The Ohio firm of Tryom, Inc., introduced this electronic game at the Winter Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, held in early 1979. It is an electronic version of the game of backgammon, named for the actor and backgammon player Omar Sharif.
The flat screen keyboard includes twelve keys numbered from 1 to 12, as well as twelve playing keys and an on/off switch. Behind these is an LCD display. Text behind this reads: OMAR. A power jack is on the right side.
At the top of the back is a compartment for four AA batteries. Below this a sticker gives instructions. It reads toward the bottom: TRYOM INC. (/) Cleveland, Ohio 44122 (/) MADE IN U.S.A. It also reads Serial # 61508 (/) U.S. & Foreign Patents Pending (/) P113 REV.2.
The mark OMAR indicates that the term is trademarked. According to records of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the firm of Tryom, Inc., applied for trademark protection for the term as used to refer to “equipment for playing a hand-held computerized backgammon game” in November 1980, receiving registration in December 1981. They had first used the term "Omar" in commerce in the summer of 1979.
References:
[Advertisement], Lost Angeles Times, November 15, 1979. Ad for Omar 1, not Omar V.
[Advertisement], Washington Post, December 5, 1979, p. A10. Omar V, which looks like this object, selling for $69.95. With backgammon set it costs $79.95.
[Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, December 28, 1979, p. E7. Omar 1, with an LED display and a backgammon set included on sale for $49.95. Omar V, with an LCD display, $59.95 all by itself.
[Advertisement], Washington Post, February 1, 1980, p. A22. Omar V, which looks like this object, selling for $69.95. With backgammon set it costs $79.95.
[Advertisment], Los Angeles Times, April 9, 1980, p. G10. Omar 1, with an LED display and a backgammon set included on sale for $49.95. Omar V, with an LCD display, $59.95 all by itself (same advertisement as above).
[Advertisement], Chicago Tribune, December 21, 1980, p. B15. Clearance sale includes an Omar III backgammon game, selling for $59.87, regularly $77.62.
“Tyrom Introduces Backgammon Player at Consumer Electronics Show,” The Intelligent Machines Journal, February 28, 1979, p. 3. Versions 1, II, and III of Omar mentioned.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
electronic calculator
Other Terms
electronic calculator; Handheld
date made
ca 1981
maker
Tyrom
place made
United States: Ohio, Cleveland
Physical Description
plastic (case; display cover material)
metal (jack material)
paper (sticker material)
Measurements
overall: 3/4 in x 3 in x 6 1/2 in; 1.905 cm x 7.62 cm x 16.51 cm
ID Number
1986.0988.079
catalog number
1986.0988.079
accession number
1986.0988
Credit Line
Gift of John B. Priser
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Computers
Computers & Business Machines
Handheld Electronic Calculators
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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