National Semiconductor Quiz Kid Speller, Electronic Game

This electronic toy was designed, in the language of a March, 1980, advertisement, to teach children spelling “painlessly.” It has a gray plastic case, and twenty-nine rectangular plastic keys. These include twenty-six rectangular letter keys, a start key, a next key, and an erase key. A switch at the center of the top row of keys can be set on spell, learn, or game mode. Above this are a green light, a two-place LED display, and a red light. A sticker above this reads: NSC National Semiconductor. An on/off switch is on the left side and a jack for a power adapter on the back edge.

A battery compartment that opens from the back would hold four batteries. A number on the inside of the lid reads: 102958. A sticker on the outside of the lid reads: NSC National Semiconductor (/) WEST JORDAN, UTAH 84084 (/) QuizKid SPELLER (/) ASSEMBLED IN HONG KONG. The toy came with a game book that gave pictures of preprogrammed words. In learn mode, a child gives the first letter of a word. In spell mode, the child spells the entire word. In game mode, a teacher or parent gives a word to be spelled.

Compare the Little Professor made by Texas Instruments (see 1986.0988.197), as well as the Whiz Kid (1986.0988.307) and the Quiz Kid Racer (1988.0988.236).

References:

[Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, March 27, 1980, p. C4. The toy sold on sale for $14.99.

Montgomery Ward, Christmas Catalog, 1978, p. 290. The catalog lists Quiz Kid Speller as on sale for $24.88 plus case, batteries, and AC adapter. Quiz Kid Racer also was offered for a price of $19.99 plus extra for a case.

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