Skip to main content Skip to main navigation
heart-solid My Visit Donate
Home Smithsonian Institution IK development site for ODI
Press Enter to activate a submenu, down arrow to access the items and Escape to close the submenu.
    • Overview
    • Museums and Zoo
    • Entry and Guidelines
    • Museum Maps
    • Dine and Shop
    • Accessibility
    • Visiting with Kids
    • Group Visits
    • Overview
    • Exhibitions
    • Online Events
    • All Events
    • IMAX & Planetarium
    • Overview
    • Topics
    • Collections
    • Research Resources
    • Stories
    • Podcasts
    • Overview
    • For Caregivers
    • For Educators
    • For Students
    • For Academics
    • For Lifelong Learners
    • Overview
    • Become a Member
    • Renew Membership
    • Make a Gift
    • Volunteer
    • Overview
    • Our Organization
    • Our Leadership
    • Reports and Plans
    • Newsdesk
heart-solid My Visit Donate

Coleco Digits Handheld Electronic Game

American History Museum

Coleco Digits Handheld Electronic Calculator
There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
View manifest View in Mirador Viewer
  • Coleco Digits Handheld Electronic Calculator
  • Coleco Digits Handheld Electronic Calculator, Back View

    Object Details

    maker

    Coleco

    Description

    This electronic game is the general size and shape of a handheld electronic calculator. The purpose of the game is to figure out a four-digit code generated (but not displayed) by pressing the "CODE" button in the top row of keys. If the "SKILL" switch in the bottom row is set at 1, the secret code will have no digits larger than a five, if the skill position is 2, any digit may be used. Players guess the code by entering a number in the "CODE" section of the LED display. Pressing the "TRY" key reveals the number of correct digits in the correct position and the number of correct digits in an incorrect position. Clearing the display by pushing the C button, one can enter further guesses. If and when the correct secret code is numbered, a 4 and a 0 appear in status boxes and that display flashes.
    An outlet for an adapter is on the fight side of the plastic case. The battery compartment on the back holds a nine volt battery. A sticker on the inside of this compartment reads: 44 01 8. A sticker below the compartment on the back gives instructions for playing the game. A mark below this sticker reads: HONG KONG.
    References:
    Chicago Tribune, November 25, 1978, p. S6.
    Carla Kallan, "Electronic Games People Play: Toy Outlets Reflect the Arrival of the Computer Age," Los Angeles Times, December 11, 1979, p. H1, H5.
    “DIGITS Instructions and Game Rules,” Amsterdam, N.Y.: Coleco Industries, Inc., 1978. This is online at: https://archive.org/details/manuals-handheld-games-Coleco-Digits. Accessed June 3, 2014.

    Location

    Currently not on view

    Credit Line

    Gift of John B. Priser

    date made

    ca 1978

    ID Number

    1986.0988.130

    accession number

    1986.0988

    catalog number

    1986.0988.130

    Object Name

    electronic calculator
    electronic game

    Other Terms

    electronic calculator; Handheld

    Physical Description

    plastic (case; keys; cover material)
    paper (stickers material)
    metal (circuitry; label material)

    Measurements

    overall: 2 in x 3 1/4 in x 6 1/2 in; 5.08 cm x 8.255 cm x 16.51 cm

    place made

    China: Hong Kong

    See more items in

    Medicine and Science: Computers
    Computers & Business Machines
    Handheld Electronic Calculators

    Data Source

    National Museum of American History

    Metadata Usage

    CC0

    Link to Original Record

    https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a8-78dd-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

    Record ID

    nmah_334544
    arrow-up Back to top
    Home
    • Facebook facebook
    • Instagram instagram
    • LinkedIn linkedin
    • YouTube youtube

    • Contact Us
    • Get Involved
    • Shop Online
    • Job Opportunities
    • Equal Opportunity
    • Inspector General
    • Records Requests
    • Accessibility
    • Host Your Event
    • Press Room
    • Privacy
    • Terms of Use