Casio SL-80 Handheld Electronic Calculator

This compact handheld electronic calculator has a plastic case about the size of a credit card holder. Opening the case reveals a keypad (there are no actual keys) on the right and a display and solar panel on the left. In addition to ten digits, a decimal point, a total, four arithmetic functions, a percentage, and a square root, there are icons for three memory functions, C (clear entry) and AC (all clear). Text in the corner of the right side reads: TOUCH (/) KEY. Text on the left side reads: CASIO (/) ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR SL-80 CM MADE IN JAPAN. Text immediately below the eight-digit liquid crystal display window reads: HIGH-POWER (/) SOLAR CELL. A mark on the front of the case reads: CASIO.

This is one of several “slim line” solar-powered calculators introduced by Casio in the 1980s. A March 1983 advertisement in the Los Angeles Times lists it as selling for $14.99. A June advertisement in the same newspaper, aimed particularly at Father’s Day sales, gives an original price of $19.99 and a price of $14.99. The same calculator was advertised in the Washington Post December 18, 1985, as selling at a low price of $4.97.

References:

Los Angeles Times, March 26, 1983, p. C6.

Los Angeles Times, June 16, 1983, p. D1.

Washington Post, December 19, 1985, p. VA17.

Casio’s full line of products in 1984 is shown at the company's website.

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