Kings Point SC-40 Handheld Electronic Calculator

By the mid-1970s, relatively inexpensive scientific calculators were available. Kings Point Corporation of Jersey City, New Jersey, distributed this Japanese-made machine. It has a white plastic case, a black metal keyboard, and an array of thirty-nine plastic keys. The four rows of square keys at the bottom include ten digit keys, a change sign key, a decimal point key, four arithmetic function keys, a total key, a clear entry key, a clear key, and a red memory key. Above this is an array of rectangular function keys that includes a key for switching between radians and degrees, as well as trigonometric, inverse trigonometric, logarithmic, exponential, squaring, square root, inverse, power, and register exchange keys. It also is possible to enter parentheses and brackets in expressions. Another key prevents the display from turning off automatically if the calculator is not used for over fifteen seconds.

Behind the keyboard is a ten-digit red LED display that has additional places for indicating the exponent (up to two digits), the sign of the entry, and the sign of the exponent. A jack for recharging the battery pack and the on/off switch are on the back edge. This example has no battery pack and no power cord. A sticker on the front reads: Kings Point SC-40. A large sticker on the back gives instructions for operating and tending the calculator. Text reads in part: SC-40 (/) MANUFACTURED IN JAPAN. Further text reads: Serial (/) Number 260903.

The calculator fits in a black pouch. Also in the collection are an Owner’s Manual, a pamphlet with title Application Guide and Operating Examples, three purchase registration cards, and three warranties.

Similar calculators sold as the Realtone SC-40 and the MBO SC-40. The Kings Point SC-40 initially sold for about $150; a 1977 sale offered the calculator for $28.00.

Compare Kings Point scientific calculators 1986.0988.011, 1986.0988.298, 1986.0988.299, and 1986.0988.214.

References:

Berger, Ivan, “Calculators getting smaller, smarter and cheaper: here’s how to pick the right one,” Popular Mechanics, 142 #6, October 1974, pp. 70–75, 168, esp. p. 74. Here the price of the SC-40 is given as $150.00.

Free, John R., “Now - there’s a personal calculator for every purse and purpose,” Popular Science, 206, #2, February 1975, pp. 78–81, 137.

[Advertisement], Washington Post, July 21, 1974, p. A15. Summer calculator clearance has Kings Point SC-40 offered for $169.95.

[Advertisement], IEEE Spectrum, March 1975, p. 24. SC-40 advertised as selling for $99.95.

[Advertisement], Chicago Tribune, July 24, 1975, p. N B5. The Kings Point SC-40, regularly priced at $119.95, is on sale for $75.88.

[Advertisement], Science News, 11, #23, June 4, 1977, p. 367. Advertisement lists SC-60 as having a regular price of $59.95 and a sale price of $49.88. This model has “scientific and statistical functions.” The SC-40 is “fully scientific” and has a regular price of $39.95 and a sale price of $28.00. The SC-44F is also “fully scientific” and regularly costs $49.95, with a sale price of $28.00.

On Realtone calculators, see the bobscalculatorsandsliderules website, accessed August 13, 2014.

On MBO calculators, see catawiki.com/catalog, accessed August 13, 2014.

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