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Radio Shack EC-21 Handheld Electronic Calculator, Blackjack

National Museum of American History

Object Details

Tandy Corporation
Description
This device operates both as a four-function handheld electronic calculator and as an electronic game of blackjack. It has a metal case with plastic trim, fifteen rectangular plastic keys, and a ten-digit green fluorescent display. Cards “dealt” to the player are indicated on the right of the display, those to the “dealer” on the left. Only one player other than the dealer is allowed. Text at the base of the keyboard reads: Radio Shack EC-21. A jack for a power adapter is along the front edge.
A compartment at the base of the back holds three AAA batteries. A paper sticker inside this compartment reads: NO: 58018 (/) 7A8 Text on the back of the calculator reads in part: BLACKJACK 21 (/) Cat. No. 60-3011/ It also reads in part: MADE IN TAIWAN.
Compare 1986.0988.295 (the Unisonic 21-P1) and 1986.0988.048 (the Radio Shack EC-21).
Reference:
[Advertisement], Chicago Tribune, December 17, 1978, p. A3. Model EC-21 on sale for $21.95. Advertised as “Las Vegas Style Blackjack Game Calculator Fun.”
Radio Shack, Blackjack 21 Owner’s Manual,” Fort Worth, Texas: Tandy Corporation. An online version of this is at wass.net.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Gift of John B. Priser
1978
ID Number
1986.0988.048
catalog number
1986.0988.048
accession number
1986.0988
Object Name
electronic calculator
Other Terms
electronic calculator; Handheld
Physical Description
metal (case; circuitry material)
plastic (keys; trim material)
paper (sticker material)
Measurements
overall: 1/2 in x 3 1/4 in x 5 5/8 in; 1.27 cm x 8.255 cm x 14.2875 cm
place made
Taiwan
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Computers
Computers & Business Machines
Handheld Electronic Calculators
National Museum of American History
Record ID
nmah_334462
Metadata Usage (text)
CC0
GUID (Link to Original Record)
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a1-3849-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
Radio Shack EC-21 Handheld Electronic Calculator, Blackjack 21
There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
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