Computers & Business Machines
Imagine the loss, 100 years from now, if museums hadn't begun preserving the artifacts of the computer age. The last few decades offer proof positive of why museums must collect continuously—to document technological and social transformations already underway.
The museum's collections contain mainframes, minicomputers, microcomputers, and handheld devices. Computers range from the pioneering ENIAC to microcomputers like the Altair and the Apple I. A Cray2 supercomputer is part of the collections, along with one of the towers of IBM's Deep Blue, the computer that defeated reigning champion Garry Kasparov in a chess match in 1997. Computer components and peripherals, games, software, manuals, and other documents are part of the collections. Some of the instruments of business include adding machines, calculators, typewriters, dictating machines, fax machines, cash registers, and photocopiers
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Unisonic 1511L Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This handheld electronic calculator has a metal and dark brown and tan plastic case and an array of twenty square plastic keys. These include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a total key, four arithmetic function keys, a percentage key, a change sign key, an exchange key, and a clear entry/clear key. Above these is the on/off switch. Behind is an eight-digit red LED display. A mark at the back reads: Unisonic 1511L.
- A jack for a power adapter is along the back edge. At the top of the back is a compartment for two AA batteries. A sticker inside it reads: 142588. A sticker near the base of the back reads in part: Remove batteries if unit unlikely (/) to be used for more than 7 days. (/) Made in Hong Kong.
- Compare 1986.0988.245 and 1981.0922.06 (both examples of the Unisonic 1511L).
- References:
- [Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, Jul 29, 1976, p. OC_B9. On sale for $8.99.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1976
- maker
- Unisonic
- ID Number
- 1981.0922.06
- catalog number
- 1981.0922.06
- accession number
- 1981.0922
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Radio Shack EC-242 Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This handheld electronic calculator has a gray plastic case, a black keyboard, and twenty-two rectangular plastic keys. The meaning of the keys is written above them on the keyboard. Keys include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a clear/clear entry key, four arithmetic function keys, a total key, two memory keys, an on key, and an off key. Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit red LED display. Text behind this reads: Radio Shack (/) MEMORY EC-242.
- A compartment for a nine volt battery is at the top of the back. A jack for a power adapter is along the back edge. A sticker below the compartment reads: Radio Shack (/) Cat. No. : 65-617 (/) Model : EC-242 (/) DC : 9V (006P x 1) (/) For 120V AC Operation (/) Use AC Adaptor 65-731 (/) Custom Mfd. in Hong Kong for (/) RADIO SHACK. A Division of Tandy Corp. (/) 7J-207.
- Radio Shack advertised this “low-priced memory calculator” as “a real budget-master.”
- Compare 1986.0988.044 (Radio Shack EC-243).
- Reference:
- Radio Shack, A Tandy Company, 1978 Catalog No. 289, p. 146, accessed September 22, 2014, at radioshackcatalogs.com. The price listed is $8.88.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1978
- maker
- Tandy Corporation
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.043
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.043
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Radio Shack EC-243 Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This handheld electronic calculator has a plastic case in two shades of gray, a silver-colored keyboard, and twenty-three rectangular plastic keys. The meaning of the keys is written above them on the keyboard. Keys include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a total key, four arithmetic function keys, and four memory keys. The top row has an on/off switch, a square root key, a % key, and a clear/clear entry key. Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit green fluorescent display. Text behind this reads: Radio Shack (/) MEMORY EC-243.
- A compartment for two AA batteries is at the top of the back. A jack for a power adapter is along the back edge. A sticker below the compartment reads: Radio Shack (/) Cat. No. : 65-618 (/) Model : EC-243 (/) DC : 3V (“AA” Cell x 2) (/) For 120V AC Operation (/) Use AC Adaptor 65-735 (/) Custom Mfd. in Hong Kong for (/) RADIO SHACK. A Division of Tandy Corp. (/) 7J-208.
- The calculator has a power adapter that plugs into the back edge. It is marked: Radio Shack (/) 273-1435 (/) 3V AC Adapter.
- Compare 1986.0988.043 (Radio Shack EC-242).
- Reference:
- Radio Shack, A Tandy Company, 1978 Catalog No. 289, p. 146, accessed September 22, 2014, at radioshackcatalogs.com. The price listed is $14.95.
- Radio Shack, A Tandy Company, 1979 Catalog No. 302, p. 129, accessed September 22, 2014, at radioshackcatalogs.com. The price listed is $14.95.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1978-1979
- maker
- Tandy Corporation
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.044
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.044
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Radio Shack EC-267 Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This thin, relatively flat handheld electronic calculator has a black plastic case and an array of twenty-four rectangular plastic keys. The ten digit keys and decimal point key are white. The total key, four arithmetic function keys, four memory keys, change sign key, % key, and square root key are black. The clear/clear entry key is red. The on/off switch is to the left on the top row of keys.
- Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit LCD display. Text behind it reads: Radio Shack (/) statesman thin LCD. The calculator has no jack for a power adapter.
- At the top of the back is a compartment for two AA batteries. Stickers inside it read: 61885 and: 6AO. A sticker below the battery compartment on the back reads: Radio Shack (/) Cat. No. : 65-674 (/) Model : EC-267 (/) DC 3V (‘AA’ Cell x 2) (/) Custom Mfd. in Hong Kong for Radio Shack, (/) A Division of Tandy Corporation.
- According to a 1981 Catalog, this was a new model for Radio Shack in 1981.
- Reference:
- Radio Shack, A Tandy Company, 1981 Catalog No. 328, p. 164, accessed September 22, 2014, at radioshackcatalogs.com.. The price listed for the calculator is $14.95.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1981
- maker
- Tandy Corporation
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.045
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.045
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Radofin 2200 Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This handheld electronic calculator has a black plastic case with a metallic-colored keyboard and stickers and eighteen black plastic keys. The keys include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a total key, four arithmetic function keys, a clear key, and a constant key. The on/off switch is to the left of the top two keys. Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit red LED display. A mark behind this reads: Radofin.
- The back of the calculator has a compartment for a nine-volt battery. A sticker below the compartment reads in part: Radofin (/) OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS. It also reads in part: SERIAL NO. 2200- 14598 (/) RADOFIN ELECTRONICS. A small sticker below this reads: ASSEMBLED IN TAIWAN. A mark in molded plastic reads: HONG KONG.
- No advertisements found.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1975
- maker
- Radofin Electronics
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.081
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.081
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Calfax 820CD Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This handheld electronic calculator has a plastic case with aluminum trim. The square plastic keys are indented at the middle (going from top to bottom). In addition to an array of ten digit keys and a decimal key, the calculator has keys for four arithmetic functions, a total key, a constant key, a red cancel key, and an on/off switch.
- Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit red LED display.
- A mark behind the display reads: calfax 820CD. A socket for an adapter is on the top edge. This example has no adapter.
- The battery compartment at the top of the back would hold two batteries. No batteries or cover for the compartment are in the present example. A tag on the back gives an “Operating Outline” for the calculator. It includes a mark at the bottom: Made in Hong Kong.
- The "calfax" mark on the calculator uses a trademark reportedly first used in commerce in 1972, filed in the United States January 1973, and registered in September 1975. No trademark registration is indicated on this example.
- No serial number found.
- Compare 1988.0988.20.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1974-1975
- maker
- Calfax
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.021
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.021
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Calfax 890P Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This handheld electronic calculator has a plastic case. The oval plastic keys are colored red (the percentage, constant, and clear/clear entry keys), white (the ten digit keys and the decimal point key) and blue (the four function keys and the total key).
- Behind the keyboard is an on/off switch; behind it is an eight-digit red LED display
- A sticker behind the display reads: calfax 890P. A socket for an adapter is on the top edge. This example has no adapter.
- The battery compartment on the top of the back would hold two batteries. This example presently has no batteries. A tag on the back reads: Serial No. (/) 615066 (/) MADE IN HONG KONG.
- The "calfax" mark on the calculator uses a trademark reportedly first used in commerce in 1972, filed in the United States January 1973, and registered in September 1975. No trademark registration is indicated on this example.
- An advertisement in the Washington Post published in July of 1976 shows several Calfax calculators, including a Calfax 890P. It emphasizes the advantage of the percent key. At that time, the model had a sale price of $7.99.
- Compare 1988.0988.202.
- Reference:
- Washington Post, July 28, 1976, p. A16.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1976
- maker
- Calfax
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.022
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.022
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Radio Shack LCD Mini Desktop EC-2003 Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This small desktop electronic calculator has a tan and brown plastic case and an array of twenty-four square plastic keys. These include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a total key, four arithmetic function keys, three memory keys, a clear/clear memory key, a clear entry key, a percentage key, a square root key, and an off key.
- The eight-digit LCD display is behind the keys. A mark to the right of it reads: Radio Shack (/) LCD MINI-DESKTOP.
- The back of the calculator has a battery pack at the top. A sticker in the middle reads: Radio Shack MODEL NO. (/) EC2003 (/) Uses 2 Type AA Batteries (RS Cat. No. 23-552) (/) Custom manufactured in Hong Kong for Radio Shack (/) A Div of Tandy Corp Ft. Worth TX76102.
- Compare 1986.0988.007, which sold for somewhat more.
- References:
- Radio Shack, A Tandy Company, 1983 Catalog No. 354, p. 169, accessed September 22, 2014. The price listed for the calculator is $19.95.
- Radio Shack, A Tandy Company, 1984 Catalog No. 367, p. 167, accessed September 22, 2014. The price listed for the calculator is $14.95.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1983-1984
- maker
- Tandy Corporation
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.033
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.033
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Unisonic LC-200 Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This compact, thin handheld electronic calculator has a silver and brown colored metal case and an array of twenty-five rectangular plastic keys. These include ten digit keys, four arithmetic function keys, a decimal point key, and a total key. The calculator also has four memory keys and square root, percentage, clear entry, and clear keys. The off key is on the left in the top row of keys.
- Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit LCD display. Behind it is a mark that reads: Unisonic (/) LC-200.
- A mark on the back of the calculator reads: LIQUID CRYSTAL CALCULATOR (/) RATING: DC 3V 0.0005W (/) 625 TYPE BATTERY x 2. Further text reads: MADE IN HONG KONG. Unscrewing two screws at the bottom of the case reveals a brown plastic circuit board and two batteries above it. A mark on the chip reads: A1.
- The calculator comes with a worn plastic case and a set of instructions in both English and French.
- Compare 1986.0988.321.
- For information about Unisonic, see 1986.0988.371.
- Reference:
- [Advertisement], Chicago Tribune, January 4, 1979, p. I8. On sale for $12.99. Price includes case. The calculator shown in this advertisement resembles this calculator more than 1986.0988.321.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1979
- maker
- Unisonic
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.121
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.121
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Newsweek LC 788 Light Powered Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- In the mid-1980s many magazine publishers sought to increase the number of subscribers, and thus the advertising rates they could charge, by offering electronic equipment such as radios, digital watches, and calculators as premiums. In the second half of 1986, Newsweek used premiums on 41% of its sales. This is such a premium.
- The handheld electronic calculator has a folding black plastic case, with the display and solar battery in the inside of the lid and the array of twenty-four square and rectangular plastic keys on the base. In addition to ten digit keys, a decimal point key, four arithmetic function keys and a total key, the calculator has a square root key, a change sign key, a % key, a clear entry/clear key, three memory keys, and an AC key. The battery is below the eight-digit display. A mark inside the lid near the fold reads: Newsweek. Another mark near this reads: LIGHT POWERED CALCULATOR. Text on the top of the lid reads: LC-788 LIGHT POWERED CALCULATOR.
- A sticker on the back reads: Model LC788 (/) Electronic Calculator (/) Solar Powered (/) Made in Hong Kong F X.
- References:
- Sandra Sugawara, “U.S. News & World Report Says Strategy Is Working,” Washington Post, June 22, 1987, p. WB3.
- Albert Scardino, “Premiums Losing Favor as Circulation Costs Rise,” New York Times, October 23, 1989, p. D11.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1984
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.150
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.150
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Unitrex 95SL Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This handheld electronic calculator has a tan plastic case and an array of twenty-four rectangular indented plastic keys. These include ten digit keys, a decimal point key (that can also serve as a memory exchange key), a percentage key, a total key, four arithmetic function keys (one of which can also serve as a squaring key and another as an inverse key), a square root key, four memory keys, a clear entry/clear key, and a function/clear function key.
- Behind the keys is an eight-digit red LED display. A worn mark above it once read: UNITREX. The on/off key is on the right side and the power jack is on the left side.
- A sticker on the inside of the battery compartment on the back reads: 9 VOLT BATTERY. The compartment cover is missing. Text at the bottom of the case reads: HONG KONG.
- The model number is deduced by comparing this object to objects on websites and in printed sources.
- References:
- Guy Ball and Bruce Flamm, The Complete Collector’s Guide to Pocket Calculators, Tustin, CA: Wilson/Barnett, 1997, p. 171.
- [Advertisement], Progress Bulletin [Pomona, California], March 28, 1977, p. 26. Calculator selling for $7.99.
- Vintagecalculators.com website.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1977
- maker
- Eiko Business Machine Company
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.016
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.016
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Corvus 804 Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This handheld electronic calculator has a plastic case that is bright orange on top and black on the bottom. The twenty-three plastic keys appear to have plastic stickers atop them—these are worn. The keys include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a clear key, a total key (this is illegible), four arithmetic function keys, four memory keys, a square root key, and a percentage key. The on/off switch is in the upper left corner of the keyboard. Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit red LED display. A sticker behind this reads: CORVUS. An outlet for a power adapter is on the top edge.
- The back has a battery compartment for a single battery. A sticker below this has stamped on it: 34856. Scratched on the sticker is the number 804.
- The instrument has a black leather zippered case, which may not have come with it.
- Images of other examples of the calculator that are available online indicate that it was made in Hong Kong.
- For a brief time in the 1970s, Mostek Corporation sold electronic calculators through a subsidiary, Corvus Corporation of Dallas, Texas. Founded in 1969 as a spinoff of Texas Instruments, Mostek became a leading manufacturer of semiconductors. Some of its first products were chips used by the Japanese firm of Busicom in desktop electronic calculators. In 1970, Busicom introduced such a calculator that used only a single Mostek chip. Mostek became one of the world’s leading manufacturers of metal oxide semiconductor read only memories, before being acquired by United Technologies in 1979. According to trademark registration for Corvus, the term was first used in commerce referring to an electronic digital calculator in 1973. This is the latest Corvus calculator presently in the collections, dating from about 1976.
- References:
- [Advertisement], Lincoln Star, August 26, 1976, p. 110. Corvus 804 calculator sells for $14.95.
- [Advertisement], Texas Monthly, October, 1976, p. 47. This advertisement is for games that could be played on a Corvus 804 calculator.
- For images of a similar Corvus calculator, see the datamath.org website, accessed June 17, 2014.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1976
- maker
- Corvus Corporation
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.101
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.101
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Unisonic XL-111 Desktop Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This small, printing desktop electronic calculator has an array of nine digit keys with zero and decimal point keys below. On the right are four keys for arithmetic functions. Right of these are print, percentage, memory recall/memory clear, and clear entry/total keys. Above the keys are a print switch, a summation switch, and a constant switch. The power switch is on the right side.
- Behind the keyboard is a nine-digit display. Behind this is a paper tape and printing mechanism.
- A mark behind the display reads: Unisonic XL 111. A mark on the back reads in part: Unisonic Model No. XL-111. There is no indication that Unisonic is a registered trademark. It also reads in part: Serial No. 70713560 (/) Unisonic Products Corporation (/) Made in Hong Kong. A case on the right side of the bottom is designed to hold five rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries. A jack for attaching to an AC adapter is at the back.
- The North American Foreign Trading Corporation of New York City, N.Y., first used the trademark Unisonic in 1968 for vacuum tubes, resistors and other electronic devices. In 1972 it extended the trademark to include calculators, receiving the registration in 1975.
- Compare other Unisonic electronic calculators, 1986.0988.003, 1986.0988.004, and 1986.0988.005.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1972-1975
- maker
- Unisonic Products Corporation
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.120
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.120
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Radofin 8P Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This basic handheld electronic calculator has a black plastic case and nineteen oval indented plastic keys. These include ten digit keys, four arithmetic function keys, a % key, a total key, a decimal point key, a constant key, and a clear/clear entry key. At the left in the top row of keys is an on/off switch. Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit red LED display. Text at the top reads: Radofin. A jack for a power adapter is on the left side.
- The back of the calculator has a battery compartment for a nine volt battery. A sticker at the center of the back reads in part: Radofin (/) MODEL 8P ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR (/) DC 9 V 500mW 1 x 9V BATTERY. Further text reads: SERIAL NO 8P 26701 (/) RADOFIN ELECTRONICS LTD. HONG KONG.
- Compare 1986.0988.256 (Radofin1610).
- References:
- [Advertisement], Washington Post, August 14, 1975, p. MD11. Advertised as regularly priced at $19.97, on sale for $11.88.
- [Advertisement], Washington Post, September 25, 1975. Advertised as regularly priced at $14.88, on sale for $10.88.
- [Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, December 14, 1975, p. OC3. Advertised as regularly priced at $12.88, on sale for $9.88.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1975
- maker
- Radofin Electronics
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.146
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.146
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Bohsei Model 1000 Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This handheld electronic calculator has a light gray plastic case. It has ten digit keys, a decimal point key, four arithmetic function keys, and a total key. The keyboard has special blue squares surrounding the keys for pi, square root, reciprocal, percentage, and clear entry/clear. The four memory keys also have a blue background. The eight-digit green fluorescent display is behind the keyboard. A mark at the top left reads: BOHSEI. A mark immediately above the display reads: MODEL 1000. The on/off swith is on the right side.
- The case has a compartment for AA two batteries at the back. A gold-colored paper tag reads: Serial No. (/) 932770 (/) MADE IN HONG KONG. The calculator has a socket for an adapter on the top, but no adapter in this example.
- Newspaper advertisements indicate that a printing desktop electronic calculator was sold under the Bohsei name in 1977. A February 1978 advertisement in the Chicago Tribune indicates that the Bohsei Model 1000 was then on sale at a special price of $8.88.
- References:
- Chicago Tribune, November 24, 1977, p. T12.
- Chicago Tribune, February 25, 1978, p. 8.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1978
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.158
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.158
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Unitrex CB-8SL Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This handheld electronic calculator is designed to fit into a checkbook (this example has no wallet). It has a plastic front, circuit board, and keys. The twenty-three rectangular keys include ten digit keys, a decimal point key (that can also serve as a memory exchange key), a percentage key (that can serve as a square root key), a total key, four arithmetic function keys (one of which can also serve as a squaring key and another as an inverse key), four memory keys, a clear entry/clear key, and a function/clear function key. The on/off switch is left of the three keys in the top row. There is space for six AAA batteries but no battery jack.
- A sticker on the back of the calculator circuit board reads in part: UNITREX MODEL CB-8SL ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR. It also reads in part: SERIAL NO. 94456 (/) HONG KONG
- Compare Unitrex CB-8SL (1986.098.161) and Novus Attache (1986.0988.227).
- References:
- [Advertisement], Eastern Progress, April 28, 1977, p. 8. Unitrex CB-8SL on sale for $17.99, regularly $19.99.
- [Advertisement], Sedalia Democrat [Sedalia, Missouri], October 26, 1977, p. 36. Unitrex slide rule checkbook calculator selling for $9.99.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1977
- maker
- Eiko Business Machine Company
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.161
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.161
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
APF Mark 62 Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This compact handheld electronic calculator has an array of ten white digit keys, a white decimal point key, and eight orange function keys. These are four arithmetic function keys, an equals/k key, a percentage key, a square root key, and a clear entry/clear key. The red LED display appears to have eight digits. A mark at the back top reads: aPF MARK 62.
- A metal connector for an adopter is on the right side. The back has the cover for the battery case, a silver paper sticker, and two rubber feet. A mark on the sticker reads: aPF ELECTRONICS, INC. (/) MODEL NO. MARK 62 (/) D.C. 9.0 VOLTS (/) CAUTION: Use only optional (/) A. C. adaptor model 710 or (/) 751S to operate on A. C. (/) SERIAL NO: H62-23524 (/) 50321 MADE IN HONG KONG.
- No advertisement found.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1977
- maker
- APF Electronics
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.173
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.173
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
APF Mark 65R Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- 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.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1977
- maker
- APF Electronics
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.174
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.174
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Texas Instruments TI-1025 Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This is one of a series of handheld electronic calculators manufactured by Texas Instruments. It has a black plastic case, a metal keyboard, and an array of twenty-four rectangular black plastic keys. In addition to ten digit keys and four arithmetic function keys, there are clear entry/clear/ON, decimal point, total, OFF, change sign, percentage, and four memory keys. Behind these is an eight-digit fluorescent display. A mark between the display and the keyboard reads: TI-1025. A socket for a battery adapter is on the right edge.
- The back has a compartment for a battery at the center. A above this reads: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS (/) electronic calculator (/) A DIM OR ERRATIC DISPLAY INDICATES (/) A DISCHARGED BATTERY. A mark below the compartment reads in part: SERIAL NO. (/) 5096413 4577 (/) ASSEMBLED IN HONG KONG. Twelve patent numbers are listed, ranging from 3819921 to 4014013
- U.S. Patent 3819921 was granted to J. Kilby, J. Merryman, and T. J. Van on January 25, 1974, and assigned to Texas Instruments. U.S. Patent 4014013 was granted to David J. McElroy on March 22, 1977.
- Compare to 1987.0435.17 and 1986.0988.191. This calculator closely resembles one version of the Western Auto Citation in general appearance and the selection of keys. The keyboard finish is different.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1978
- maker
- Texas Instruments
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.194
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.194
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Rockwell 8R Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This handheld electronic calculator has a dark brown plastic case and eighteen rounded 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. A mark above the keyboard reads: Automatic (/) Percent. The on/off switch is on the left side. Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit LED display. Text behind the display reads: Rockwell. A jack along the back edge would hold a power adapter.
- The back of the calculator has four feet and a compartment at the top for a nine volt battery. A sticker below this gives operating examples. Text near the bottom reads: Rockwell (/) International Microelectronics Product Division (/) Anaheim, CA 92803 (/) Calculator Model 8R (/) Made in Hong Kong Mod [sic].
- Compare the Rockwell 14RD (1986.0988.013) and the Rockwell 9TR (1986.0988.015). Also compare the Radio Shack EC-220 (1986.0988.038).
- References:
- [Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, August 14, 1975, p. SF4. Rockwell 8R advertised as selling for $16.88.
- [Advertisement], Chicago Tribune, December 4, 1975, p. A6. Rockwell 8R advertised as selling for $16.88.
- [Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, December 18, 1976, p. C10. Rockwell 8R advertised as regularly priced at $14.88, selling for $8.95.
- [Advertisement], Washington Post, February 11, 1977, p. C24. Rockwell 8R advertised as selling for $6.77.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1975-1977
- maker
- Rockwell International
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.012
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.012
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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