Computers & Business Machines

• 

  Keaton Music Typewriter

  Description

  As typewriters developed during the 20th century, a class of music typewriters began to emerge. This is a Keaton Music Typewriter that was invented by Robert H. Keaton of San Francisco, California. Keaton had two patents that covered his music typewriter, the first was given patent number 2,047,690 on July 14, 1936 and related to a 14 key music typewriter, and the second was given number 2,631,712 on March 17, 1953 and covered a 33 key music typewriter. The typewriter’s board held sheet music in place while a semicircle ring of keys containing notes and musical notation typebars could be maneuvered above the sheet music to create musical compositions.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  maker

  Keaton Music Typewriter Company

  ID Number

  ME.330212

  catalog number

  330212

  accession number

  287938

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Experimental Graphophone and Recording

  Description

  This is an experimental machine for recording sound with a vertically cut wax record on its cylinder. It was made as a demonstration piece at the Volta Laboratory, Washington, DC, in September 1881. The machine is a modified Edison phonograph. The grooves of the machine’s cylinder have been widened and coated with wax. A hand-written card attached to the machine with sealing wax reads: “The following words and sounds are recorded upon the cylinder of this Graphophone: ‘T-r-r—T-r-r—There are more things in heaven and earth Horatio, than are dreamed of in our philosophy—T-r-r—I am a Graphophone and my mother was a Phonograph.’”

  This machine and recording were part of the proof of invention that the Volta Associates—Alexander Graham Bell, his cousin Chichester Bell, and Charles Sumner Tainter—deposited in a sealed tin box at the Smithsonian on October 30, 1881, in case of a patent fight. The box was opened in the presence of Bell relatives in 1937.

  Sound was recovered from this recording in 2013.

  Speaker: Alexander Melville Bell

  Content (20 seconds): “[trilled r sounds] There are more things in heaven and

  Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in our philosophy [trilled r sound].

  I am a graphophone, and my mother was a phonograph.”

  References:

  Leslie J. Newville, “Development of the Phonograph at Alexander Graham Bell's Volta Laboratory,” in Contributions from the Museum of History and Technology, United States National Museum Bulletin 218, Paper 5 (1959): 69-79.

  Patrick Feaster, “A Discography of Volta Laboratory Recordings at the National Museum of American History”

  date made

  1881-09

  ID Number

  ME.312123

  catalog number

  312123

  accession number

  162298

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Blickensderfer Model 8 Typewriter

  Description

  The Blickensderfer Model 8 typewriter was manufactured by the Blickensderfer Manufacturing Company of Stamford, Connecticut beginning in 1908. The Blickensderfer was advertised as having one quarter of the parts that other typewriters used, allowing for easier operation, maintenance, and repair. Other features include a tabulator and a scaled with slots for carriage stops. Blickensderfer typewriters also had a patented type action using their patented “type wheel,” a metal wheel containing all the characters which would rotate and strike the paper to create the inked mark. The type wheel allowed for easier type alignment, less jamming, and an easier way to change type fonts. The simplicity of the Blickensderfer made it portable, and this model had a wooden cover with a leather handle for easy carrying. While QWERTY keyboards could be ordered, by default most Blickensderfer typewriters eschewed the QWERTY keyboard in favor of a “Scientific” keyboard that put the most used letters “D, H, I, A, T, E, N, S, O, and R” on the bottom row nearest the space bar to minimize hand movement.

  George C. Blickensderfer founded the Blickensderfer Manufacturing Company in Stamford, Connecticut in 1893. The Blickensderfer Manufacturing Company produced nine different models of typewriters, including an electric typewriter, and operated until George Blickenderfer’s death in 1917. The company was reformed as the Blick Typewriter Company for a few years before the Blickensderfer patents and designs were sold and manufactured by a variety of different companies.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  ID Number

  1981.0653.01

  accession number

  1981.0653

  catalog number

  1981.0653.01

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Data General-One Portable Computer

  Description

  Data General was primarily a mini-computer company. But in 1984, it introduced the Data General-One (DG-1), a breakthrough personal computer laptop. The Data General One weighed nine pounds, ran MS-DOS, had dual 3 ½" diskettes, 79-key full stroke keyboard, 128 KB to 512 KB of RAM, and a monochrome LCD screen. It ran on a CMOS 80C88 processor. Unlike other "luggable" computers of the era, the DG-1 was light enough to carry on travel, but also powerful enough to emulate a desktop.

  The DG-1 enjoyed only mediocre success. Its 3 ½" diskettes were slightly ahead of their time, and much popular software was not available in 3 ½" format. Adding to the problem, software copyright protection made copying into the 3 ½" format difficult. In addition, the DG-1 base price was relatively high at $2,895, and the real cost tended to be even higher, because users generally needed both more RAM and an external 5 ¼" drive to run disks from their desktop machines.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  Date made

  1984

  maker

  Data General Corporation

  ID Number

  1995.0069.01

  accession number

  1995.0069

  catalog number

  1995.0069.01

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Shugart 8-inch Disk Drive, SA900

  Description

  In the course of the 1960s and 1970s, computer manufacturers developed diverse ways of storing data and programs on magnetic media. Expertise developed at large manufacturers like IBM found its way into more specialized firms. One such company was Shugart Associates, established by Alan F. Shugart and colleagues. Shugart had worked at IBM and then Memorex; his associates had similar backgrounds. The first product of Shugart Associates, sold from about 1973, was the SA900 disk drive for 8” floppy disks. It was intended particularly for use with mainframes and minicomputers. This example is the sixth one manufactured by Shugart Associates.

  A tag on the front reads: SA901. A tag on the bottom reads: Shugart Associates (/) Model No. SA900 (/) Volt 115/60 Freq. 60 Hz (/) SerialNo. P0006.

  Also included is an SA150 diskette in envelope.

  The SA900 soon was surpassed by the SA800, another drive for 8” floppy disks made by Shugart.

  For related materials, see 1980.0612.01.1 (documentation on the SA800), 1980.0612.01.2 (documentation on the SA900), and 1980.0612.01.3 (a press release on Shugart Associates)). The collections include several later Shugart disk drives.

  Reference:

  Accession file.

  "Background: Shugart Associates," September 1979, 1980.0612.01.3.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  Date made

  1972

  date made

  1973

  ca 1973

  maker

  Shugart Associates

  ID Number

  1980.0612.01

  catalog number

  1980.0612.01

  accession number

  1980.0612

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Hewlett-Packard HP-55 Programmable Handheld Electronic Calculator

  Description

  Introduced in early 1975, the HP-55 handheld electronic calculator was a less expensive alternative to the HP-65. It had no card reader or program cards, but programs of up to forty-nine steps could be entered by the user. In addition, there were eighty-six pre-programmed functions and operations.

  The lower part of the keyboard includes data entry keys for ten digits, as well as decimal point, enter, change sign, enter exponent, and clear display keys. It also has keys for the four arithmetic operations. Using alternate meanings for these keys offers extensive opportunities to convert between metric and standard units, as well as entering angles as degrees, radians or grads. Pressing the "R/S" (run/stop) key in the bottom right corner begins program execution.

  Above this set of keys are prefix keys (function, second function, store, recall) that are combined with one or two more keystrokes to complete a command. Further keys allow programming. The calculator also includes a digital timer.

  Behind the keyboard are the on/off switch and a second switch that may be set for writing programs or for running them.

  Behind the switches is a red LED display for up to ten significant digits, plus two-digit exponent and appropriate signs for both. A mark along the front edge reads: hp HEWLETT•PACKARD 55.

  The back of the calculator has an outlet for a power adapter, a battery case, and a sticker that reads in part: HEWLETT-PACKARD HP-55 INSTRUCTIONS. A sticker below this reads: HEWLETT•PACKARD (/) SER. NO. 1704S 01114. The first four digits of the serial number indicate that the calculator was made in the fourth week (January) of 1977. The S signifies manufacture in Singapore.

  In the cardboard box with the calculator are a battery pack with three batteries, a Hewlett-Packard 8200A battery charger and power adapter, and a leather, cloth-lined case. The calculator initially sold for $395.

  For related documentation received with this calculator see 1980.0813.02, 1981.0813.03, and 1980.0813.04. For other documentation see 1982.0222.05.

  References:

  W.A.C. Mier-Jedrzejowicz, A Guide to HP Handheld Calculators and Computers , Tustin, California: Wilson/Burnett Publishing, 1997, pp. 44–45, 132.

  David G. Hicks, The Museum of HP Calculators, http://www.hpmuseum.org/, accessed July 2014.

  [Advertisement], “Hewlett-Packard introduces another uncompromising calculator, the new HP-55 Programmable Scientific,” Electronics, vol. 48, #8, April 17, 1975, pp. 60-61.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1977

  maker

  Hewlett-Packard Company

  ID Number

  1980.0813.01

  catalog number

  1980.0813.01

  accession number

  1980.0813

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  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

• 

  Texas Instruments SR-10 Handheld Electronic Calculator

  Description

  This is an example of the first model of a scientific calculator marketed by Texas Instruments. The handheld electronic calculator has a black- and ivory-colored plastic case with an array of twenty-three plastic keys. Twenty-one of these are square; the 0 and the total keys are rectangular. In addition to ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a total key, and four arithmetic function keys, the calculator has a reciprocal key, a square key, a square root key, a change sign key, an enter exponent key, a clear key, and a clear display key. Text on the keyboard, above the keys and to the left, reads: SR-10. Behind the keyboard is a twelve-digit LED display. Numbers larger than eight digits are displayed in scientific notation. A mark behind the display reads: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS. An on/off switch is right and slightly above this.

  The back edge of the calculator has a jack for a recharger/adapter. A sticker on the back gives extensive instructions. It also gives the serial number SR10 794630. A small round sticker above the large sticker reads: INSPECTED (/) BY L-01.

  Unscrewing screws near the top and bottom of the back reveals the workings of the calculator. It has a total of five chips. The largest of these is marked TMS0120NC (/) C7421. This is a TMS0120 chip, manufactured in mid-1974. Also in the case is space for three AA nickel-cadmium batteries.

  The leather zippered case has both a loop and a hook for attaching the calculator to a belt.

  Texas Instruments described the SR-10 as an “electronic slide rule calculator,” hence the “SR” in the name. The first version of the device, introduced in 1972, did not have the mark SR-10 on the keyboard. The second version (introduced in 1973) and the third (introduced in 1975) did. This is an example of the second version.

  Compare 1986.0988.351, 1986.0988.354, and 1986.0988.356.

  References:

  Guy Ball and Bruce Flamm, The Complete Collector’s Guide to Pocket Calculators, Tustin, CA: Wilson/Barnett, 1997, p. 153.

  The online Datamath Museum includes versions of the SR-10 from 1972, 1973, and 1975.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1974

  maker

  Texas Instruments

  ID Number

  1986.0988.351

  catalog number

  1986.0988.351

  accession number

  1986.0988

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Altair 8800 Microcomputer

  Description

  Not long after Intel introduced its 8080 chip, a small firm in Albuquerque, New Mexico, named MITS (Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems) announced a computer kit called the Altair, which met the social as well as technical requirements for a small personal computer. MITS succeeded where other, more established firms had failed, and it was their machine that inaugurated the personal computer age. MITS got its start in computing in 1971, when it introduced an electronic calculator kit. Several thousand sold before 1974, when the sharp reduction in calculator prices drove the company out of that market.

  H. Edward Roberts, the Florida-born former U.S. Air Force officer who headed MITS, decided to design a small, affordable computer around the Intel 8080. His daughter named the new machine after the star Altair. It was the first microcomputer to sell in large numbers. In January 1975, a photograph of the Altair appeared on the cover of the magazine Popular Electronics. The caption read "World's First Minicomptuer Kit to Rival Commercial Models." According to the magazine, the machine sold as a kit for $395, and assembled for $498. Roberts had hoped to break even by selling 200 Altairs. Within three months he had a backlog of 4,000 orders.

  The kit offered by MITS represented the minimum configuration of circuits that one could legitimately call a computer. It had little internal and no external memory, no printer, and no keyboard or other input device. An Altair fitted out with those items might cost $4,000—the equivalent to the cheapest PDP-8 minicomputer, a reliable and established performer. Most purchasers found the kit was difficult to assemble, unless they had experience with digital electronics and a workbench fitted out with sophisticated test equipment. And even if one assembled the kit correctly it was sometimes difficult to get the Altair to operate reliably. Gift of Forrest M. Mims III

  Date made

  1974

  the head of MITS

  Roberts, H. Edward

  unspecified

  Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems

  component parts are used

  Intel Corporation

  maker

  Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems

  ID Number

  1987.0066.01

  catalog number

  1987.0066.01

  accession number

  1987.0066

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Lloyd's E680-3 Desktop Electronic Calculator

  Description

  This lightweight, non-printing electronic calculator has an array of nine digit keys at the center with a zero bar and a decimal point key below these. On the right are arithmetic and clear keys. On the left are percentage, percent change, gross profit margin, item count, clear memory, recall memory, memory subtraction, and memory addition keys. A switch between a floating and a fixed decimal point, a constant switch, and a power switch are above the keyboard. Behind is a ten-digit vacuum fluorescent diode display. A cabinet has space for two D batteries. A jack for a cord is at the back, but there is no cord.

  A mark on the front of the machine reads: Lloyd’s Accumatic 680. A label on the back reads in part: LLOYD’S (/) Model No. E680-3 (/) Series: 260A. It also reads in part MADE IN TAIWAN. The interior of the calculator has a single circuit board which has a mark on the bottom that reads: 5212232. A mark on the top of the circuit board reads: CA2486-03 K1. The chip by Texas Instruments has a mark that reads: TMC1073NL (/) KSLP 7736. The “7736” indicates that the chip was made in the 36th week of 1977.

  Compare the Radio Shack EC-2001 (1986.0998.007) and Unisonic XL-101 (1986.0988.004). Radio Shack advertised the EC-2001 in American newspapers as early as 1978 and as late as 1985. For the power supply for this calculator, see 1986.0988.377.

  References:

  [advertisement], Boston Globe, December 5, 1978, p. 15.

  [advertisement], New York Times, March 21, 1985, p. A22.

  These advertisements are for the Radio Shack version of the calculator.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  ca 1978

  maker

  Lloyd's Electronics

  ID Number

  1986.0988.006

  catalog number

  1986.0988.006

  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

• 

  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

• 

  Canon LX-30 Handheld Electronic Calculator

  Description

  This slim handheld electronic calculator has a cream-colored plastic case and gray synthetic rubber keys. In addition to an array of ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a percentage key, four arithmetic function keys, and a total key; it has an on/clear key, a clear indicator key, four memory keys, an off key, and a square root key. A mark behind the keyboard reads: Canon LX-30 (/) ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR. Behind this mark is an eight-digit liquid crystal display.

  The back slips off to reveal a flat circuit plate and a space for two squat 1.5 volt batteries.

  A stamp on the back reads: Canon LX-30 (/) BM D.C.3V – 0.28mW (/) CANON INC. (/) USE BATTERY 1.5Vx2 (/) JAPAN.

  The calculator fits in a silver-colored plastic sleeve. A mark on the front and the back of the sleeve reads: Canon. This example has no instructions.

  Several web sites give a date of 1982 to1984 for this model.

  Reference:

  See the Datamath.org website.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  ca 1983

  maker

  Canon, Inc.

  ID Number

  1986.0988.031

  catalog number

  1986.0988.031

  accession number

  1986.0988

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Canon TP-7 Handheld Electronic Calculator

  Description

  This handheld electronic calculator has a cream-colored plastic case that is gray around the display. The keyboard includes ten digit keys, a decimal point key, four keys for arithmetic functions, a percentage key, clear and clear indicator (e.g. clear entry) keys, a graph printout key, a non-add key that prints figures not affecting calculations, a square root key, three keys relating to memory, and a total key. Behind the keys are four switches, as well as an all clear key depressed with a pen point after battery replacement.

  Behind this is an eight-digit display. A mark above the display reads: Canon TP-7 (/) POCKET PRINTER. Behind the display is a narrow paper tape

  Text on the back of the case reads: Canon TP-7 (/) BM. It also reads: CANON INC. It also reads: NO. 056273 JAPAN. A compartment for a bank of four AA batteries is at the bottom of the case. A socket for an AC adapter is along the top edge.

  The calculator is stored in a cardboard box with an instruction pamphlet labeled: Canon (/) POCKET PRINTER TP-7. Instructions are given in English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish. Also in the box is a warranty. A number on the back of the instructions reads: 0983B103.

  Also received as part of the object is a box of thermal roll paper for Canon calculators. It contains five rolls of paper.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  ca 1983

  maker

  Canon, Inc.

  ID Number

  1986.0988.032

  catalog number

  1986.0988.032

  accession number

  1986.0988

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Radio Shack EC-220 Handheld Electronic Calculator

  Description

  This relatively inexpensive handheld electronic calculator has an array of eighteen rounded rectangular keys, labeled on the keyboard. These include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a clear entry/clear key, four arithmetic function keys, a % key, and a total key. A mark next to the top two keys reads: RS. The eight-digit red LED display is behind the keyboard. A mark behind it reads: Radio Shack. A jack for a power supply is on the back edge. The on/off switch is on the left side.

  The back of the calculator has a compartment for a nine-volt battery. A sticker on the inside of this compartment reads: 20313D30-02. The calculator has four rubber discs that serve as feet. A sticker on the back reads in part: EC-220 Calculator (/) Catalog No. 65-604. Further text reads: RADIO SHACK A TANDY CORPORATION COMPANY (/) FORT WORTH, TEXAS 76107. Further text reads: Assembled in Mexico. Another mark reads: Ser. No. (/) 267484.

  Compare Rockwell 8R (1986.0988.012).

  Reference:

  Radio Shack, A Tandy Company, 1976 Electronics Catalog , p. 116, accessed September 22, 2014, at .radioshackcatalogs.com. Calculator has a list price of $16.95.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1976

  maker

  Tandy Corporation

  ID Number

  1986.0988.038

  catalog number

  1986.0988.038

  accession number

  1986.0988

  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

• 

  Corvus 411 Handheld Electronic Calculator

  Description

  This handheld electronic calculator was manufactured by a subsidiary of Mostek Corporation, 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. For a brief time in the 1970s, Mostek sold electronic calculators under the name Corvus. According to trademark registration for Corvus, the term was first used in commerce referring to an electronic digital calculator in 1973. Advertisements for the Corvus 411 appeared in 1974.

  The calculator has a cream-colored plastic case and twenty rectangular plastic keys with a brown keyboard behind them. These include ten digit keys, a decimal point key and a total key. Right of these is a column of four function keys. Directly above the digit keys is a row with EE (enter exponent), pi, inverse, and square root keys. Behind this are two memory keys, an exchange key, and an orange clear key. A sticker directly behind the keyboard reads: CORVUS. Behind this is is a red LED display. It shows the sign of the mantissa, six digits of the mantissa, the sign of the exponent, and two digits of the exponent.

  On the back at the bottom is a compartment for four nickel cadmium batteries. A sticker above the battery compartment reads in part: CORVUS 411 (/) ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR. It also reads: SERIAL NO. (/) 411-0135447. It also reads: POWER 6VDC 100 mA 115 (/) V with adaptor (/) CAUTION: Attempted repair (/) by unauthorized persons will (/) void warranty. (/) CORVUS (/) CORPORATION (/) Dallas, Texas. Included are an AC power adapter and an owner’s manual.

  All these materials fit into a cardboard box. A mark on the lid of the box reads: CORVUS (/) SLIDE RULE (/) CALCULATOR (/) WITH MEMORY (/) 411. A tag on the bottom of the box reads: $69.95.

  References:

  [Advertisement], Chicago Tribune, October 1, 1974, p. 6. Several Corvus calculators advertised (not the Corvus 312). The Corvus 411 regularly $99.95, on sale for $69.88.

  [Advertisement], Chicago Tribune, November 12, 1974, p. 8. The Corvus 411, regularly $99.95, is advertised as on sale for $69.88.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  ca 1974

  maker

  Corvus Corporation

  ID Number

  1986.0988.057

  catalog number

  1986.0988.057

  accession number

  1986.0988

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

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  Victor Tallymate Desktop Electronic Calculator, Model 85

  Description

  This four-function desktop electronic calculator has a turquoise plastic case with plastic keys in two shades of the same color. The keyboard has an array of nine digit keys with a zero bar and a decimal point key below these. Above the digit keys are clear entry, clear all, and subtraction keys. On the right is a division key and bars for multiplication and addition. Switches behind the keyboard turn the device on or off and determine the position of the decimal point in result. Behind the switches is an eight-digit display. Behind these is a battery indicator as well as two warning lights, one labeled OFL (for overflow) and the other NEG (for negative numbers).

  A case for six AA batteries is on the bottom of the machine. No batteries are present. A jack for a power adapter or cord is at the back, but the adapter is not present.

  A mark on the front reads: VICTOR (/) tallymate. A tag in the bottom gives instructions for using the calculator. It reads in part: MODEL – 85 (/) SERIAL NO. 059311 (/) MADE IN JAPAN (/) FOR VICTOR COMPTOMETER BUSINESS MACHINES DIVISION (/) CHICAGO ILLINOIS 60618.

  According to the website of Victor Technology, the successor firm to Victor Comptometer, the calculator has a MOS-LSI calculator chip (the TMS0105) from Texas Instruments, and a vacuum fluorescent display module from ISE (DP88F). It was introduced in 1972. A newspaper advertisement from late 1973 gives a price of $79.95. Another ad, from early 1974, lists a sale price of $99.95, down from a regular price of $159.50.

  References:

  Website of Victor Technology, http://www.victortech.com/.

  [Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, December 20, 1973, p. D4.

  [Advertisement], New York Times, January 2, 1974, p. 12.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  ca 1973

  maker

  Victor Comptometer Corporation

  ID Number

  1986.0988.062

  catalog number

  1986.0988.062

  accession number

  1986.0988

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

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