Object Details
maker
Sharp Corporation
Description
This Japanese-made non-printing electronic calculator is a relatively small and light desktop machine. It has an array of nine digit keys with a 0 and a decimal key below these. On the right are a clearance key, a key for indicating that multiplication (rather than addition) should be carried out, a key for indication that division (rather than subtraction) should be carried out, and a key for multiplication or division. The machine has an eight-digit capacity for all operations. In back of the keyboard is an eight-digit display. The on-off switch is on the side.
A mark on the front left reads: SHARP. A mark on the front right reads: microCompet. A mark behind the display reads: CORDLESS. A tag attached to the back reads in part: SHARP QT-8B (/) CORDLESS MICRO COMPET/. It also says in part: NO. 0067148 (/) SHARP ELECTRONICS CORPORATION (/) 10 KEYSTONE PLACE, PARAMUS (/) NEW JERSEY 07652 MADE IN JAPAN. The black carrying case has a handle.
The calculator fits into a plastic battery unit. The unit is plugged into the wall to operate the machine on alternating current or to charge the adapter. To operate the machine on direct current, the plug is not used and the switch is turned off. A mark on the back of the adapter reads: MICRO COMPET ADAPTOR. The adaptor has a gray cloth cover.
The instruction manual that comes with the calculator indicates that the machine incorporates four ELSIs (Extra Large Scale Integrations) with one 4-phase clock generator. The calculator was advertised in American newspapers from mid-1970 into 1971. The QT-8B (with the battery pack) cost $495.
References:
Sharp Electronics Corporation, SHARP Electronic Calculator with ELSI Micro COMPET QT-8B Instruction Manual, no date.
[advertisement], Los Angeles Times, July 29, 1970, p. G5.
[advertisement], Chicago Tribune, December 2, 1970, p. G5.
[advertisement], The New York Times, January 9, 1971, p. 41.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Gift of Jon Eklund
date made
ca 1970
ID Number
2006.0132.22
catalog number
2006.0132.22
accession number
2006.0132
Object Name
electronic calculator
Physical Description
plastic (case, keys material)
metal (wiring material)
Measurements
overall: 3 1/4 in x 5 3/4 in x 10 1/4 in; 8.255 cm x 14.605 cm x 26.035 cm
place made
Japan
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Computers
Computers & Business Machines
Desktop Electronic Calculators
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Subject
Business
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_1303471