Sharp EL-5805 Handheld Electronic Calculator

This handheld electronic calculator was advertised in the newspaper the Washington Post as “Sharp’s Super Slim Super Scientist.” The scientific calculator has a metal case and thirty-five rectangular plastic keys. The four lower rows of keys are similar to those found on many calculators, with ten digit keys, a change sign key, a decimal point key, four arithmetic function keys, three memory keys, and a total key. The next row up contains keys for various forms of exponents and logarithms, and an exchange key. The next row up (just below the top row of keys) contains a key for converting from degrees, minutes, and seconds to decimal degrees, as well as keys for trigonometric functions. The top row of keys includes an F key for switching the functions of the function keys, and keys for powers, square roots, clear entry, and clear. Pressing the function key converts the action of many of the keys in the top three rows. The memory keys also become keys for various statistical functions.

Above the keyboard are the on/off switch, and a switch for setting angular measure at degrees, radians, or grads. Behind this is an eight-digit LCD display, which can show a mantissa of six digits and a two-digit exponent.

At the base of the back of the calculator is a compartment for two squat cylindrical silver oxide batteries. Text above these reads in part: ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR (/) EL-5805. It also reads: NO. 70027227 (/) SHARP CORPORATION (/) MADE IN JAPAN BM.

The calculator has a brown plastic wallet. A mark on the front of it reads: SHARP (/) ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR.

References:

[Advertisement], Washington Post, August 26, 1977, p. A6. Calculator selling for $29.95. The same ad mentions the Sharp EL-500 selling for $16.95.

[Advertisement], Chicago Tribune, June 4, 1978, p. I18. Advertisement describes EL-5805, with a total of eight digits in the display (six mantissa, two exponents), selling for $29.95. It also mentions the EL-5806, with a total of ten digits in the display (eight mantissa, two exponents), selling for $34.95.

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