Montgomery Ward P8F Handheld Electronic Calculator

Montgomery Ward P8F Handheld Electronic Calculator

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Description
This handheld electronic calculator has a tan, black, and gray plastic case with seventeen plastic keys, fifteen of them square and two rectangular. In addition to ten digit keys and a decimal point key it has four arithmetic function keys, a clear key, and a clear entry key. A mark behind the keyboard reads: MONTGOMERY (/) WARD electronic P8F. Behind this is an eight-digit LED display. A jack for a power adapter is on the back edge and a switch is on the left side.
The back of the calculator has a compartment for four AA penlight batteries. A sticker on the compartment cover gives operating instructions. It is marked in part: Model No. TXI-8644A (/) Serial No. 37X-0007883 (/) DISTRIBUTED BY MONTGOMERY WARD & CO., INC. (/) CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60607. The back has four rubber feet.
The "TXI" in the model number indicates that the calculator was made for Montgomery Ward by Texas Instruments.
References:
Guy Ball and Bruce Flamm, The Complete Collector’s Guide to Pocket Calculators, Tustin, CA: Wilson/Barnett, 1997, p. 101.
Online Datamath Calculator Museum, accessed August 29, 2014.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
electronic calculator
Other Terms
electronic calculator; Handheld
date made
ca 1974
maker
Montgomery Ward and Company
Physical Description
plastic (case; keys; display cover material)
metal (circuitry material)
paper (sticker material)
Measurements
overall: 1 1/2 in x 3 in x 5 3/4 in; 3.81 cm x 7.62 cm x 14.605 cm
ID Number
1986.0988.143
catalog number
1986.0988.143
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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