This chunky handheld electronic calculator has a white plastic case with a black keyboard, twenty-five black and white square plastic keys, and a display with what appear to be nine separate cylindrical tubes. In addition to ten digit keys, it has a decimal point key, a change sign key, four arithmetic function keys, a cancel key, two memory keys, and a total key. A jack for a power adapter is along the top edge. The on/off switch is on the right edge.
The back of the calculator has a battery compartment at the top that would hold four 1.5V batteries. A sticker on the compartment cover reads: MINIPET (/) MODEL V-2 (/) RATING 6VDC 0.6W (/) ASSEMBLED IN U.S.A.
A second, lengthier sticker below this one is entitled: CALCULATOR OPERATION INSTRUCTION.
Reference:
[Advertisement], Washington Post, November 1, 1973, p. A21. Advertises a Minipet desktop calculator using “the same MOS LSI advanced circuitry as the famous Sharp Model 8M.” The device shown is not this calculator.
This handheld electronic calculator has a black plastic case and an array of nineteen rectangular plastic keys on a metallic-colored keyboard. It has ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a total key, four arithmetic function keys, a clear/clear entry key, a memory key, and a percentage key. The on/off switch is at the far right on the top row of keys. Text behind the keyboard reads: Unisonic 940. Behind this is an eight-digit green vacuum fluorescent display.
A jack for a power supply is on the right side.
A compartment for three AAA batteries is on the back. A sticker above this gives calculation examples. Text here reads in part: 940. It also reads: SERIAL NO. (/) 001412 (/) MADE IN JAPAN.
Ball and Flamm give a 1978 price of $10.97 for this calculator.
Compare the Unisonic 940A (1986.0988.320).
Reference:
Guy Ball and Bruce Flamm, The Complete Collector’s Guide to Pocket Calculators, Tustin, CA: Wilson/Barnett, 1997, p. 168.
The case of this handheld electronic calculator has a metal front and a plastic back. It has twenty-two indented plastic keys. These include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, four arithmetic function keys, a total key, a clear key, a square root key, a % key, a change sign key, and two memory keys. An on/off switch is on the keyboard right of the two top keys. Behind this is an eight-digit green fluorescent display. A tag behind this reads: SANYO. A jack for a power adapter is on the back edge.
The back has a compartment for two AA batteries. Text molded in the case reads in part: SANYO CX-8132 OPERATION EXAMPLES. It also reads in part: INPUT: DC 3V (Two AA size batteries) (/) or DC 2.8 V (AC adaptor CU-20) (/) POWER: 0.3W (/) SANYO ELECTRIC CO. LTD. BM. A sticker below this reads: NO. 04900856 T (/) DAN MILLS. Text molded in the case below reads: MADE IN JAPAN.
References:
No advertisements found. The website calculator.org dates this calculator to 1975. The website epocalc.net dates the calculator to 1978.
This handheld electronic calculator has a black and white plastic case and an array of twenty-two square plastic keys. The keys are colored red, white, and blue, on a larger black base. They include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a total key, four arithmetic function keys, four memory keys, a percentage key and a clear key. Left of the top two keys is an on/off switch. Behind this is an eight-digit green vacuum fluorescent display. A mark behind this reads: UNITREX (/) 901M.
An opening for a power jack is along the back edge.
A compartment at the top of the back of the calculator holds two AA batteries. A sticker below this reads in part: UNITREX (/) electronic calculator. It also reads in part: MADE IN KOREA (/) UNITREX OF U.S.A. (/) SER. NO. 5716157.
Reference:
[Advertisement], Chicago Tribune, August 29, 1976, p. S_A6. Unitrex 901M on sale for $12.95.
The TI-1766 was the first solar-powered calculator sold by Texas Instruments. The handheld electronic calculator has a silver-colored metal case and twenty-five rectangular plastic keys. These include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a total key, four arithmetic function keys, four memory keys, an all clear key, a square root key, a percentage key, a change sign key, and a clear entry/clear key. A mark below the keys reads: LIGHT POWERED. Behind the keys is a solar cell. A mark behind this reads: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS TI-1766. Behind this is an eight-digit LCD display.
A sticker on the back of the case reads: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS (/) electronic calculator (/) SOLAR AND LIGHT POWER (/) SERIAL NO. 118063 (/) 093 (/) MADE IN JAPAN. Unscrewing the back of the calculator reveals only the back of the chip and the back of the circuit board.
The calculator has a gray plastic jacket, marked on the back: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS.
According to the online Datamath Museum, Texas Instruments began selling the TI-1766 in 1981, using a Toshiba chip. A second design appeared the next year and a third in 1983. This calculator does not precisely match any of these designs—the model number is just below the display, not below the keys. It resembles a machine shown in advertisements from 1985 and 1986. The calculator came to the museum in 1987.
References:
[Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, November 28, 1985, p. Z11. Regular price $9.95, sale price $6.97.
[Advertisement], Washington Post, January 2, 1986, p. B10. The calculator had a regular price of $6.95 and a sale price of $5.90.
This hefty handheld electronic calculator has a metal case and eighteen indented square plastic keys. These include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, four arithmetic function keys, a clear display key (CK), a clear all key (CA), and an arrow key pushed to show digits not indicated on the display (the display shows eight digits in the result, but calculations are to sixteen digits). The addition and subtraction keys also serve as total /difference keys.
The keyboard also has a switch that may be set at 0, 2, or 4 to indicate the placement of the decimal point. A mark below it reads: DECIMAL P. Behind the keyboard is a light that indicates when the battery is low. A tag next to it reads: SANYO. Behind this is the eight-digit gas discharge display. An on/off switch is on the right side and a jack for a power adapter at the back edge.
A tag on the back of the calculator reads: SANYO MODEL ICC-807D (/) ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR (/) INPUT DC 7.5 V (/) DC 7.5V, DC 2.5W (/) SERIAL NO. 77123492 T (/) SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD. MADE IN JAPAN.
Compare 1986.0988.177.
References:
A manual is online at the wass.net website, accessed October 9, 2014.
The calculator.org website dates this calculator to 1972-1973. The epocalc.net website dates it to 1971. No advertisements found.
This handheld electronic calculator has a plastic case with metal keyboard and twenty-four rounded rectangular plastic keys. These include an array of ten white digit keys and five black keys for the four arithmetic operations and percentage. Decimal point, exchange, clear entry/clear, equals, four memory functions, and D (display) keys are red. A red LED display for eight digits and a decimal point is behind the keys and a battery compartment at the top. A mark above the display reads: MONTGOMERY (/) WARD P201. A power jack is along the back edge.
A silver-colored paper tag on the back gives operating instructions. It reads at the top: MONTGOMERY (/) WARD. It also reads near there: P201 MEMORY CALCULATOR (/) OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS. It reads near the bottom: DAN-8659A (/) Model No. It also reads there: 47X-47654 (/) Serial No. The bottom of this tag reads: Assembled in U.S.A.
Compare the APF Mark 25 (1986.0988.165).
The calculator was made for Montgomery Ward by APF Electronics.
References:
Guy Ball and Bruce Flamm, The Complete Collector’s Guide to Pocket Calculators, Tustin, CA: Wilson/Barnett, 1997, p. 102.
Online Datamath Calculator Museum, accessed August 29, 2014.
This handheld electronic calculator has twenty-four indented square plastic keys. These include ten white digit keys and an eleventh white decimal point key; and keys for the four arithmetic functions as well as percentage, square root, clear entry/clear, and equals keys. Five orange memory keys are in the rightmost column. The on/off switch is above these keys on the left, and the nine-digit fluorescent display is behind this. A mark below the display reads: aPF rechargeable MARK 65r. The hole for the recharger/adapter is on the top edge.
The black plastic case has two rubber feet at the top. A silver-colored paper sticker below this reads: aPF ELECTRONICS, INC. (/) MODEL NO. MARK 65r (/) D.C. 4.5 VOLTS (/) CAUTION. Use only A.C. adaptor/recharger (/) model 751S to operate on A.C. (/) SERIAL NO. H65r-024822 (/) 7545.005 HONG KONG. Below this is the cover for the sealed battery case. A black paper sticker on this reads: THIS UNIT IS EQUIPPED WITH (/) RECHARGEABLE NICAD BATTERIES. (/) BATTERY COVER IS SEALED. (/) DO NOT ATTEMPT TO OPEN.
Ball and Flamm mention a 1977 advertisement for this calculator which gave a price of $18.95.
Compare the Sears F85 (1986.0988.182).
Reference:
Guy Ball and Bruce Flamm, The Complete Collector's Guide to Pocket Calculators, Tustin CA: Wilson/Barnett, 1997, p. 30.
The calculator manufacturer Unicom was started by integrated circuit manufacturer American Microsystems, Inc., and purchased by Rockwell International in 1972. Rockwell would soon begin to sell calculators under its own name.
This handheld electronic calculator is designed for scientific as well as arithmetic calculations. It has a tan plastic case and an array of twenty sloping square plastic keys. Symbols on the keys are for ten digits, a decimal point, four arithmetic functions, total, change sign, transfer, and clear. A twentieth key is marked F. Pushing it changes the meaning of the other keys to a function denoted above the key. The keys will then allow one to evaluate logarithms, exponents, powers, trigonometric functions, inverses, pi, and inverse trigonometric functions. Five keys serve various memory functions.
The on/off switch is above the keyboard on the left. A switch on the right above the keyboard allows for entries of angles in degrees or radians.
Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit vacuum fluorescent display. A jack for a battery charger is along the back edge.
A compartment at the bottom of the back of the calculator holds four AA batteries. A sticker above it reads: 202 SLIDE RULE (/) Rechargeable NI-Cad Batteries. Use Unicom NI-Cad bat- (/) tery charger to recharge. Allow 7 hours for full charge. (/) Do NOT use battery charger with NI-CAD batteries re- (/) moved. Disposable Batteries: Use 4 AA alkaline batteries. Do NOT use battery charger with disposable batteries. (/) Unicom Systems (/) Rockwell International 192609-50 (/) UNICOM SYSTEMS, SUNNYDALE, CALIFORNIA 94086 (/) ASSEMBLED IN MEXICO.
The calculator has a brown carrying case that has been cut so that it might be worn on a belt.
References:
[Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, November 13, 1973, p. C6. Scientific calculator for under $200 – cost $195.00.
[Advertisement], Chicago Tribune, September 10, 1974, p. A9. Calculator advertised as on sale for $119.88.
[Advertisement], Chicago Tribune, March 11, 1975, p. 6. Calculator advertised as having regular price of $109.95, sale price of $79.88.
Guy Ball and Bruce Flamm, The Complete Collector’s Guide to Pocket Calculators, Tustin, CA: Wilson/Barnett, 1997, pp. 165–166.
This is one of a series of S-100 circuit boards built by the Texas firm of SD Systems and used to expand the memory of a microcomputer - it is revision E of the trademarked EXPANDORAM board.
This handheld electronic calculator is on a key chain. It has a gold-colored metal case with an array of twenty-five metal keys and a metal chain. In addition to ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a total key, four arithmetic function keys, and four memory keys, it has a square root key, a percentage key, a clear entry key, an on/clear key, and an off key. A mark above the keys reads: ZYKKOR LC-244. Behind this is an eight-digit LCD display.
Zykkor was a Japanese manufacturer of optical lenses and other photographic products. In the 1980s it distributed a wide variety of electronic products.
A mark on the back reads: MADE IN TAIWAN R.O.C. (/) FABRIQUE A TAIWAN R.D.C.
The calculator.org website gives a date of introduction of 1985 for this calculator.
References:
Calculator.org website, accessed July 8, 2015.
[Advertisement], New York Times, January 29, 1985, p. A7. Zykkor LC-220 (a different model calculator) advertised as on sale for $3.95.
This printed circuit board is a memory drive board from the memory unit of the UNIVAC 9400. A mark on the side reads: 4102694-02-C. A mark on the front reads: 7803-30-91 (/) 22-9. A mark on the back reads: UNIVAC.
This handheld electronic calculator has a brown plastic case and eighteen rectangular plastic keys. In addition to ten digit keys and a decimal point key, it has a clear entry/clear key, four arithmetic function keys, a total key, and a percentage key. On the left on the brown and off-white keyboard is an on/off switch. Text above it reads: National (/) Semiconductor 850A. Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit LED display.
A compartment for a battery opens on the top of the back. A mark in molded plastic on the bottom of the back reads: MADE IN HONG KONG.
A jack for a power adapter is on the left side.
Compare 1986.0988.306 (a Novus 850) with 1986.0988.305 (a National Semiconductor 850A).
Ball and Flamm, as well as a contemporary advertisement, mention the National Semiconductor 850A as on sale in 1978.
References:
Guy Ball and Bruce Flamm, The Complete Collector’s Guide to Pocket Calculators, Tustin, CA: Wilson/Barnett, 1997, pp. 103–105. They give a 1978 price of $5.89.
[Advertisement], Kokomo Tribune, August 13, 1978, p. 3. A National Semiconductor 850A calculator mentioned as a giveaway for a sufficiently large bank deposit.
This handheld electronic calculator has an off-white plastic case and an array of nineteen rectangular plastic keys. These include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, four arithmetic function keys, a total key, a percentage key, a clear entry key, and a clear key. Above the keyboard on the right is the on/off switch. A mark next to it reads: UNITREX (/) mini 8.
Behind these is an eight-digit red LED display. A jack for a power adapter is along the back edge.
The back has a compartment for a nine-volt battery. A mark on the back of the cover of this compartment reads: A57K11831. Text impressed into the calculator at the base of the back reads: UNITREX mini 8 (/) EIKO BUSINESS MACHINE CO. LTD. (/) DC 9V 0.5W (/) MADE IN JAPAN.
The case is very similar to the Unitrex Mini Handy 80R (1986.0988.018).
References:
[Advertisement], Atlanta Constitution, December 19, 1974, p. 27A. Unitrex Mini 8 selling for $19.95.
[Advertisement], Boston Globe , August 7, 1975, p. 28. Unitrex Mini 8 selling for $15.95, regularly $19.95.
[Advertisement], Washington Post, August 25, 1977, p. D6. Unitrex Mini 8 offered in clearance sale for $4.99. Sold previous year for $7.95.
This black plastic power adapter has metal prongs to fit into a wall socket and a plastic-covered plug to fit into a calculator. A mark on the object reads in part: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS (/) POWER (/) SUPPLY (/) ASSY IN U.S.A. (/) ADAPTER (/) MODEL AC 9132 (/) 7801.
The Bowmar Instrument Corporation was established in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1951 by Edward A. White, an engineer who had attended Tufts University. The firm came to sell solid-state light emitting diodes, but was unable to persuade Japanese calculator companies to use them in calculator displays. This prompted Bowmar to enter the calculator business in 1971. This is a relatively early Bowmar calculator.
This handheld electronic calculator has a plastic case colored tan and brown with a plastic display window and keys. It has an array of nine digit keys above the zero and decimal bars. Four keys for arithmetic functions are right of these. At the top is a constant switch, a clear entry key, a clear key, and an on/off switch. Behind this is a red eight-digit LED display. A mark at the top reads: BOWMAR.
A plug for a power cord is on the right side. This example lacks a cord.
An "OPERATING OUTLINE" in raised characters on the back of the case gives instructions. A tag at the bottom reads: MODEL 905 Serial (/) NUMBER 118910 (/) BOWMAR/ALI Inc. Acton, Mass. 01720 U.S.A. (/) Made in U.S.A.
Four screws hold the back of the case to the front. Removing these reveals one small and two large circuit boards. A mark inside the case near the top reads: E905-010.The same mark is on the inside bottom of the case. A mark on the upper circuit board reads: D905-300. A space for a battery or battery pack is empty. The calculator has no separate battery compartment.
A different form of the Bowmar 905, with a percentage key rather than a constant switch, was advertised in the Washington Post in 1973. A January 28, 1973 advertisement gives a price of $99.99. The ad, which included several electronic calculators, was entitled "if you're still using your head, you're not using your head."
References:
Robert Metz, "Market Place: Keeping Figures in Your Pockets," New York Times, May 27, 1972, p. 36.
Washington Post, January 28, 1973, p. K10.
Guy Ball and Bruce Flamm, The Complete Collector's Guide to Pocket Calculators, Tustin CA: Wilson/Barnett, 1997, pp. 35–36.