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APF Mark 55 Handheld Electronic Calculator

National Museum of American History

Object Details

APF Electronics
Description
This handheld electronic calculator is designed for scientific work. It has an array of digit keys with a decimal point key, keys for the four arithmetic functions, a sign change key, a reverse x and y key, a down key, an ENT key, and an EE key. At the top are shift, recall, standard deviation, natural log, and clear display keys. Below these are sine, cosine, tangent, summation, and power keys. The function keys all can assume a second function, allowing for evaluation of hyperbolic trigonometric function, decimal logarithms, mean values, square roots, and so forth. A few keys are devoted to converting decimal and standard units of weight and measure—centigrade and Fahrenheit temperatures, liters and gallons, centimeters and inches, and kilograms and pounds.
The ten-digit LED display is behind the keyboard. The device has space for a nickel/cadmium battery behind this, as well as an outlet for an adapter/charger.
A mark above the keyboard, even with the on/off switch, reads: aPF MARK 55. A mark on the sticker on the back of the case reads: aPF mark 55 (/) ADVANCED SCIENTIFIC CALCULATOR. After brief operating instructions, futher marks read: MARK 55 (/) Model No.; J-036646 (/) Serial No.; and: APF ELECTRONICS INC. (/) NEW YORK, N.Y. 10022 (/) MADE IN JAPAN.
A March, 1976, advertisement compared the features of the APF Mark 55 with those of the HP-45, noting that both calculators used reverse Polish notation for data entry, carried out a wide array of operations, and could store and recall nine registers of numbers. According to the advertisement, the HP-45 cost $195 while the APG Mark 55 cost only $79.95.
References:
Los Angeles Times, March 14, 1976, p. V57.
Los Angeles Times, June 8, 1976, p. 9.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Gift of John B. Priser
ca 1976
ID Number
1986.0988.171
catalog number
1986.0988.171
accession number
1986.0988
Object Name
electronic calculator
Other Terms
electronic calculator; Handheld
Physical Description
plastic (case; keys material)
aluminum (keyboard material)
paper (sticker material)
rubber (feet material)
Measurements
overall: 1 in x 3 in x 6 3/8 in; 2.54 cm x 7.62 cm x 16.1925 cm
place made
Japan
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Computers
Computers & Business Machines
Trigonometry
Handheld Electronic Calculators
National Museum of American History
Record ID
nmah_334585
Metadata Usage (text)
CC0
GUID (Link to Original Record)
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ae-15a4-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Related Content

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APF Mark 55 Handheld Electronic Calculator
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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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