overall: 1 3/4 in x 3 3/8 in x 6 in; 4.445 cm x 8.5725 cm x 15.24 cm
Object Name:
electronic calculator
Other Terms:
electronic calculator; Handheld
Place made:
Mexico
Date made:
1974
Description:
Early handheld electronic calculators used vacuum fluorescent or light emitting diode displays. The Dataking LC-800 was one of the first to use a liquid crystal display, reducing the power required for calculations. Rockwell International actually manufactured the calculator, a fact openly acknowledged in advertisements. The same calculator also sold as the Ibico 86 and the Lloyd’s 40.
The calculator has twenty cream-colored rectangular keys with an on/off switch above the keyboard. In addition to ten digit keys, a clear key, a decimal point key, a percentage key, a total key, and four arithmetic function keys, there are two memory keys that are operated in conjunction with the arithmetic function keys. A mark next to the switch reads: DATAKING.
At the back is the liquid crystal display, with a window behind it to illuminate the display. There is no provision for a power adapter as the calculator operated only on batteries.
The bottom of the back has a compartment for two nine-volt batteries. A sticker above this reads: DATAKING LC-800 (/) DATAKING, INC. (/) DC 18V. (/) SERIAL NO. 145160 (/) assembled in MEXICO (/) primarily of UNITED STATES parts.
Unscrewing four screws allows one to remove the back of the case. The circuit board covers the chip.
References:
[Advertisement], <I>New York Times</I>, May 12, 1974, p. 48. Calculator has a national introductory price of $59.95 and a suggested retail price of $99.95.
[Advertisement], <I>New York Times</I>, June 2, 1974, p. B4.
[Advertisement], <I>Washington Post</I>, June 16, 1974, p. L4.
[Advertisement], <I>Los Angeles Times</I>, August 13, 1974, p. E16.
Guy Ball and Bruce Flamm, <I>The Complete Collector’s Guide to Pocket Calculators</I>, Tustin, CA: Wilson/Barnett, 1997, p. 66.
