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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Pamphlet, SOBAX Solid State Calculator ICC-2500W Owner's Instruction Manual
- Description
- This spiral-bound pamphlet describes in English the operation of the Sony SOBAX ICC-2500W desktop electronic calculator.
- For a related object, see CI*334390.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1969
- maker
- Sony Corporation
- ID Number
- CI.313986.15
- catalog number
- 313986.15
- accession number
- 313986
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Pamphlet, SONY SOBAX ICC-2500
- Description
- This pamphlet describes in Japanese the operation of the Sony SOBAX ICC-2500.
- For a related object, see CI*334390.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1969
- maker
- Sony Corporation
- ID Number
- CI.313986.14
- catalog number
- 313986.14
- accession number
- 313986
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Press Release, All-Electronic Desk Calculator Developed by Sony
- Description
- This documentation consists of a photocopy of a press release in English, copy of a press release in Japanese, and a copy of a photograph of a prototype Sony all-electronic desk calculator. The calculator was to be exhibited in the Japanese Pavilion at the New York World Exposition opening in April 1964.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1964
- maker
- Sony Corporation
- ID Number
- CI.313986.04
- catalog number
- 313986.04
- accession number
- 313986
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Pamphlet on the SOBAX ICC-500 Desktop Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This pamphlet describes the operation of the SOBAX ICC-500, an early desktop electronic calculator made by Sony Corporation. The pamphlet is written in Japanese.
- For a related object, see CI*334389.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1968
- maker
- Sony Corporation
- ID Number
- CI.313986.09
- catalog number
- 313986.09
- accession number
- 313986
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Blueprints, Description of Modifications Prior to Public Announcement of the MD-6, Dated July 18, 1964
- Description
- These documents describe modifications to the initial trial model of this early Sony desktop electronic calculator. Photocopies.
- For a related object, see CI*334388.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1964
- maker
- Sony Corporation
- ID Number
- CI.313986.06
- catalog number
- 313986.06
- accession number
- 313986
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Press Release, Sony Portable Electronic Calculator "SOBAX ICC-500"
- Description
- These four sheets are photocopies of a three-page press release and two photographs of an early desktop electronic calculator sold by Sony Corporation.
- For a related object, see CI*334389.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1967
- maker
- Sony Corporation
- ID Number
- CI.313986.07
- catalog number
- 313986.07
- accession number
- 313986
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Blueprints, First Engineering Report on the MD-6, Dated July 18, 1964
- Description
- These blueprints describe the materials and components used in the SONY MD-6 desktop electronic calculator. They may be photocopies.
- For a related object, see CI*334388.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1964
- maker
- Sony Corporation
- ID Number
- CI.313986.05
- catalog number
- 313986.05
- accession number
- 313986
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Tandy 1400 Personal Computer LT
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1987
- maker
- Tandy Corporation
- ID Number
- 2014.0090.01
- accession number
- 2014.0090
- catalog number
- 2014.0090.01
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Toshiba LC-833wa Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This handheld electronic calculator also serves as an alarm clock. It has an aluminum case with plastic trim and an array of twenty-five rectangular plastic keys. These include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a total key, four arithmetic function keys, four memory keys, a square root key, a percentage key, a change sign key, a clear key, and a clear entry key. Above the keys are an on/off switch and a switch for setting the alarm. Behind this are six buttons that relate to setting the time. Behind this is an eight-digit liquid crystal display. Below the keys a mark reads: LIQUID CRYSTAL CALCULATOR LC-833WA (/) TOSHIBA.
- A sticker on the back of the calculator reads: TOSHIBA ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR (/) LC-833WA (/) SILVER OXIDE BATTERY. It also reads: NO. D 57903 BM (/)TOKYO SHIBAURA ELECTRIC CO., LTD. JAPAN.
- The calculator has a brown plastic case with a window that reveals the display. A mark on the case reads: TOSHIBA.
- References:
- According to the www.calcuseum.com website, accessed December 3, 2014, this calculator was in production in 1978. According to the www.datamath.org website, accessed December 3, 2014, this calculator was introduced in 1978.
- [Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, November 24, 1979, p. D5. This ad shows the LC-840WA, which appears to be a slightly later model.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1978
- maker
- Tokyo Shibaura Electric Company
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.125
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.125
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
NCR Class 18-22 Electronic Calculator
- Description
- In the late 1960s and 1970s, desktop electronic calculators replaced mechanical adding and calculating machines. The Nippon Calculating Machine Corporation of Japan sold such machines under the brand name Busicom. It also supplied other firms with electronic calculators sold under other names. This is a Busicom electronic calculator sold by the Dayton, Ohio, firm of NCR.
- The machine has nine digit keys and a 0 bar. Clear and clear entry keys are left of the digit keys. Keys to the right of the digit keys are for the four arithmetic operations and memory access. Apparently nine or ten digit numbers may be entered, with results of up to twelve digits.
- A tag attached at the top reads: NCR. A tag attached to the back reads; NCR (/) Class 18-22. It also reads: THE NATIONAL CASH REGISTER COMPANY. (/) MADE IN JAPAN. It also reads: NO. 1-9940221. This serial number indicates a date of 1972.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1972
- maker
- Nippon Electric Co.
- ID Number
- 1987.0339.01
- accession number
- 1987.0339
- catalog number
- 1987.0339.01
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
APF Mark 84 Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This handheld electronic calculator has an array of ten white digit keys with a white decimal point key. Right of the digit keys are orange keys for the four aithmetic functions, which also can serve as memory keys. An orange equals/constant key, which can also serve as a memory key, is next to the decimal point key. The top row has keys for percentage, clear entry/clear, and memory. The row also contains an on/off switch. Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit (or possibly nine-digit) fluorescent display. A mark at the back reads: aPF MARK 84. The hole for the adapter is on the right side.
- The back of the calculator has a compartment for the battery at the top and two rubber feet at the bottom. A mark on the interior of the battery back reads: 2 (/) JAPAN (/) 0108241. A silver-colored sticker on the back reads: aPF ELECTRONICS, INC. (/) MODEL NO. MARK 84 (/) D.C. 9.0 VOLTS (/) CAUTION: Use only optional (/) A. C. adaptor model 710 or (/) 751S to operate on A. C. (/) SERIAL No: J 0119684 (/) MADE IN JAPAN.
- This calculator closely resembles an APF calculator advertised in a March 1977, issue of the Los Angeles Times as selling for $7.99. That advertisement does not give a model number.
- Reference:
- Los Angeles Times, March 19, 1977, p. 15.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1977
- maker
- APF Electronics
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.175
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.175
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Canon Palmtronic 8 Mini Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This handheld electronic calculator has a black plastic case. In addition to ten digit keys, it has a decimal point key and a percentage key, an on/off switch, and yellow clear and clear indicator keys above the digit keys, and blue arithmetic function keys and a total key on the right. Behind these is an eight-digit green fluorescent display. A mark above the display reads: Canon Palmtronic 8 mini.
- At the bottom of the back is a compartment for two AA batteries. A sticker on the inside of the lid of the compartment reads: 376297. There is no outlet for an adapter. Text on the back reads: Canon (/) Palmtronic 8 Mini (/) BM D.C. 5 V 0.3W (/) CANON, INC. (/) JAPAN (/) USE PENLIGHT BATTERY 1.5Vx2.
- According to Ball and Flamm, this calculator was advertised in 1976 as selling for $8.95.
- Reference:
- Guy Ball and Bruce Flamm, The Complete Collector’s Guide to Pocket Calculators, Tustin, CA: Wilson/Barnett, 1997, p. 45.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1976
- maker
- Canon, Inc.
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.029
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.029
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Casio Memory A-1 Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This handheld electronic calculator has a dark brown and cream-colored plastic case and a metal keyboard. In addition to ten digit keys, a decimal point key, four arithmetic function keys, and a total key, it has all clear, clear, square root, percentage, sign change, and three memory keys. Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit vacuum fluorescent display. A mark behind this reads: CASIO MEMORY A-1 ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR. The on/off switch is on the left side and a socket for an adapter is on the top edge at the left.
- At the top of the back of the calculator is a compartment for a single battery. A sticker inside the compartment reads: 1600683. On this example of the calculator, the compartment lacks a cover. A mark on the back of the case reads: CASIO MEMORY A-1 (/) BATTERY SUPPLY 1.5Vx1 (/) or use AC ADAPTOR AD-1S (/) 0.12W (/) H-814 MADE IN JAPAN (/) BM CASIO COMPUTER CO. LTD.
- Unscrewing a screw at the base allows one to fold open the case. This reveals a variety of electronic components, including a chip made by Hitachi and marked: HD3783 (/) 6G 41.
- Compare 1986.0988.331. Both calculators have the same number on the chip.
- The web site of Casio Corporation suggests that this calculator was introduced in 1974. However, the first advertisement found is from a March 1977, issue of the Chicago Tribune. This lists the Casio Memory A-1 as on sale for $12.95. A March 1978, advertisement in the same newspaper gives the same price.
- References:
- Casio Corporation website, with its museum.
- Chicago Tribune, March 2, 1977, p. B8.
- Chicago Tribune, March 19, 1978, p. J4.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1976-1977
- maker
- Casio Computer Company
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.026
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.026
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Lloyd's E419 Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This handheld electronic calculator has a worn gray plastic case and twenty-four square plastic keys. In addition to ten digit keys, a decimal point key, and a total key; it has a change sign key, four arithmetic function keys, a percentage key, and four memory keys. The power switch is above this. Text behind this reads LLOYD’S. Behind this is the eight-digit vacuum fluorescent display. A power jack is on the back edge.
- A compartment at the base of the back would hold four batteries. A sticker above this reads in part: LLOYD’S 6V D.C. 300mW (/) MODEL E419 SERIES 255A. It then gives several examples for operating the calculator. Text below this reads: SERIAL NO. 5F-117623 (/) MADE IN JAPAN.
- The calculator has a black carrying case.
- For further information about Lloyd’s Electronics, Inc., see 1986.0988.218.
- References:
- [Advertisement], Albuquerque Journal, July 22, 1976, p. 25. Lloyd’s E419 advertised as on sale for $12.99.
- [Advertisement], San Antonio Express, July 22, 1976, p. 91. Lloyd’s E419 advertised as on sale for $12.99.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1976
- maker
- Lloyd's Electronics
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.217
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.217
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Unisonic 1148 Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This handheld electronic calculator has a metal and plastic case with an array of twenty-six rectangular plastic keys. These include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a total key, four arithmetic function keys, and four memory keys. In addition there are two parenthesis keys, a square root key, a percentage key, a clear/clear entry key, an inverse key, and a squaring key. On the right side next to the two topmost keys is the on/off switch. A mark above this reads: Unisonic 1148.
- A jack for a power supply is along the back edge.
- A sticker on the back of the calculator gives calculation examples. It is marked in part: SERIAL NO. (/) 001202 (/) MADE IN JAPAN. A further mark reads: 1148-A. Below this is a compartment for three AA batteries.
- No advertisements found.
- Reference:
- The BECALC vintage calculator website dates the Unisonic 1148 calculator to 1979.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1979
- maker
- Unisonic
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.290
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.290
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Sharp EL-8130 A Elsi-Mate Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- In the second half of the 1970s, taking advantage of the introduction of liquid crystal displays, manufacturers of handheld electronic calculators designed and built ever-thinner products. This is an early example of a Sharp calculator in which the usual keys had been replaced by a single thin plastic membrane. This reduces the thickness of the calculator itself to about .5 cm (about 1/4”). Pushing numbers on such a calculator produces no tactile sensation. To give users a sense that they indeed had entered information, the calculator could be set so that a tone sounded whenever a digit or function was entered. Pushing the section of the membrane with a musical note on it (called the sensor key) activated this part of the calculator. The calculator has a total of twenty-two “keys” In addition to the sensor key, these include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a total key, four arithmetic function keys, four memory keys, a square root key, a % key, and a clear entry key. Behind these are keys for off and on/clear. Text next to these two keys reads: SHARP (/) ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR (/) ELSI MATE EL-8130A. Behind this is the eight-digit LCD display.
- Text on the back of the calculator reads: ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR EL-8130A. It also reads: NO. 87547779 BM (/) SHARP CORPORATION MADE IN JAPAN. The most recent U.S. patent number listed is 3976994, a patent issued in 1976 and assigned to Sharp.
- The calculator has a black leather case. Text on the front of it reads: SHARP (/) ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR.
- Sharp membrane calculators in the collections include 1997.0032.01 (Sharp EL-8152 or EL-8152A), 1987.0435.13 (Sharp EL-8130A), and 1986.0988.316 (Sharp EL-8145).
- Reference:
- [Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, December 8, 1977, p. WS6. New model EL-8130 calculator selling for $29.95 (no advertisement found for EL-8130A).
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1977-1978
- maker
- Sharp Corporation
- ID Number
- 1987.0435.13
- catalog number
- 1987.0435.13
- accession number
- 1987.0435
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Toko TD-802D Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- According to the Toko, Inc., website, Toko was established in Tokyo in 1955 as a manufacturer of components for portable radios with the name TOKO Radio Coil Laboratories. The firm continues to manufacture electronic components.
- This relatively large handheld electronic calculator has a plastic case and eighteen square keys with rounded corners. These include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a total key, four arithmetic function keys, a clear entry key, and a clear key. A switch on the right of the top row of keys can be set to having the constant (K) on or off. Behind this is an on/off switch. Test left of it reads: TOKO MINI-8. Behind this is an eight-digit green vacuum fluorescent display. A jack for a power adapter is on the right side.
- At the base of the back is a compartment for four AA batteries. A mark on the cover reads: JAPAN. A sticker above the compartment gives “CALCULATION EXAMPLES.” Text at the base of the sticker reads: TD-802D SERIAL No. 834181. The back is held to the front by four metal screws. Unscrewing these, one finds a Texas Instruments chip marked: TMS0101ANCΔ (/) 7351.
- No advertisements found.
- References:
- Guy Ball and Bruce Flamm, The Complete Collector’s Guide to Pocket Calculators, Tustin, CA: Wilson/Barnett, 1997, p. 161.
- Toko, Inc., website, accessed June 3, 2015.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1973
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.082
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.082
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Unisonic 1040-AT Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- Electronic calculators were frequently advertised in March and April as aids to Americans computing personal income taxes. Federal taxes on personal income had been legalized in the United States by the passage of the Sixteenth Amendment to the US Constitution in 1913. A form for calculating these taxes known as the 1040 was introduced soon thereafter, and was widely known by American workers by the 1970s. Hence the name of this calculator.
- This handheld electronic calculator has a metal and plastic case with an array of twenty-six rectangular plastic keys. These include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a total key, four arithmetic function keys, four memory keys, a square root key, a percentage key, a change sign key, an exchange key, a clear key, and a clear entry key. The keys are the same as those on the Unisonic 1040, although they are arranged slightly differently. Right of the top two keys is an on/off switch. A mark above this reads: Unisonic 1040. Behind this is an eight-digit green fluorescent display.
- A power jack is along the back edge.
- A sticker on the back gives calculation examples. A mark on it reads: 1040-AT. Another mark reads: SERIAL NO. (/) 353519 (/) MADE IN JAPAN. Below this is a compartment for four AAA batteries.
- Compare five examples of the Unisonic 1040: 1986.0988.110 (the 1040), 1986.0988.291 (the 1040-1), 1986.0988.292 (the 1040-AT), 1986.0988.109 (the 1040-C), and 1986.0988.108 (the 1040-C). The keys are not identical.
- References:
- For a timeline of historical events relating to personal income taxes, see the website of the Internal Revenue Service at www.irs.gov.
- [Advertisement], Morning Herald [from Hagerstown, Maryland], November 28, 1975, p. 49. Selling Unisonic 1040 for $22.96.
- [Advertisement], Chicago Tribune, September 1, 1977; p. I2. Unisonic 1040 selling for $10.96, regularly $13.96.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1975
- maker
- Unisonic
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.292
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.292
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Casio LC-825 Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This compact handheld electronic calculator has an aluminum case with plastic trim and an array of brown plastic keys. In addition to digit keys, a decimal point key, and a total key in a central block, there are four keys for arithmetic functions to the right of the digit keys. A column on the left has percentage, square root, C (clear entry), and AC (all clear) keys. Above these is a power switch and three memory keys. Text behind the keyboard reads: CASIO LC-825 ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR. Text below the keyboard reads: LIQUID CRYSTAL. The eight-digit yellow liquid crystal display is above the keyboard.
- A mark on the back reads: BM CASIO LC-875 (/) 1.5Vx2(DC) 0.0003W (/) CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD. (/) made in Japan. Unscrewing two screws at the base of the back makes it possible to change the two squat batteries. A sticker on the inside back of the case reads: 0642719.
- The calculator fits in a brown leatherette case. A mark on the outside of the case reads: CASIO (/) ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR.
- The Casio LC-825 was advertised in the Chicago Tribune December 13, 1978, but apparently was not a great success.
- Reference:
- Chicago Tribune, December 13, 1978, p. B5.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1978
- maker
- Casio Computer Company
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.213
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.213
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Casio FX-700P Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- Casio Computer Company manufactured desktop calculators with scientific functions from at least 1972, when it sold its FX-1. This machine was sold by Sperry Remington as the Remington 1259S (see 2011.0108.01). In 1974, Casio introduced a handheld scientific calculator, the FX-10 (also sold by Remington as the SSR8). Casio continued to manufacture such calculators as well as simpler devices designed to do arithmetic.
- In the 1970s Hewlett Packard, Compucorp, Texas Instruments and Casio began selling calculators in which a series of key commands could be combined into programs. In 1982, Casio introduced this calculator, the Casio FX-700P, which could be programmed using the programming language BASIC. The metal device with plastic trim has digit and arithmetic function keys on the right, and a full alphabetic keyboard and further function keys left of this. The on/off key is toward the left and the liquid crystal display above this. The display showed up to twelve characters.
- An connection that allows one to plug in a power adapter, a thermal printer, or a cassette recorder is at the top edge, although this example has none of these attachments. A mark on the upper right side reads: CASIO (/) PROGRAMMABLE CALCULATOR (/) FX-700P.
- Each key on the keyboard could be read in several ways or, to use Casio’s phrase, modes. Pressing a key entered number or letter indicated. Pressing a key and the red “symbol” mode key entered one of a series of symbols, program commands, or program numbers (up to ten programs could be stored in the calculator). Pressing a key and the blue “function” mode key allowed one to find trigonometric functions, logarithms, exponents, squares, fractions and so on. Finally, using the decimal point key and the mode key allowed one to enter letters in small typeface and a variety of other symbols.
- Unscrewing screws on the back of the calculator allows one to change the two small, squat batteries. A mark on the back reads: CASIO FX-700P (/) RATING: DC 8V 0.02W (/) use BATTERY 3Vx2 (/) MADE IN JAPAN (/) BM CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
- According to a review in Creative Computing in December of 1983, the Casio FX-700P with cassette interface, thermal printer and a Multipac solftware package sold retail for about $200.
- This example of the device was owned by Richard C. Roberts, a professor of mathematics at the University of Maryland Baltimore County and the father of the donor.
- For related documentation, see 2012.3068.01.
- References:
- The Casio FX-700P is discussed on several websites, including http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1002&st=1 , http://www.casio-calculator.com/Museum/ByYear/1982.html , and Viktor T. Toth, Programmable Calculators, http://www.rskey.org/.
- David H. Ahl, “Casio FX-700P,” Creative Computing, 9 #12, December, 1983, p. 20.
- Stephen Kiehl, “Richard Roberts,” Baltimore Sun, March 31, 2008.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1982
- maker
- Casio Computer Company
- ID Number
- 2012.0136.01
- accession number
- 2012.0136
- catalog number
- 2012.0136.01
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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