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Bowmar 90506 Handheld Electronic Calculator

National Museum of American History

Object Details

Bowmar/Ali
Description
This handheld electronic calculator has a gray plastic case, display window, and keys. It has an array of nine digit keys above the zero and decimal bars. Four keys for arithmetic functions are right of these. At the top is a percentage key, a total key, a clear key, and an on/off switch. Behind this is a red eight-digit LED display. A mark at the top reads: Bowmar.
A plug for a power cord is on the right side. This example lacks a cord.
An "OPERATING OUTLINE" in raised characters on the back of the case gives instructions. A tag at the bottom reads: MODEL 90506 SERIAL (/) NUMBER 126277 (/) BOWMAR/ALI Inc. Acton, Mass. 01720 U.S.A. (/) Made in U.S.A. Patent Pending
Four screws hold the back of the case to the front. The case holds three circuit boards, one much smaller than the other two. The calculator has no separate battery compartment. This example lacks a battery or battery pack. A mark on the inside of the lid of the case reads: E905-020. A mark on the inside of the back of the case reads: E905-011.
A Bowmar 905 (not 90506) calculator, with a percentage key but a different BOWMAR mark, was advertised in the Washington Post in 1973. A January 28, 1973 advertisement gives a price of $99.99.
The form of the Bowmar trademark used on this calculator was registered by Bowmar Instrument Company of Fort Wayne, Indiana, on March 26, 1974. The date the mark was first used in commerce and the date of the trademark application are not given.
Compare the Craig 4507, 1986.0988.311.
References:
Washington Post, January 28, 1973, p. K10.
Guy Ball and Bruce Flamm, The Complete Collector's Guide to Pocket Calculators, Tustin CA: Wilson/Barnett 1997, pp. 35–36.
Website of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Gift of John B. Priser
ca 1974
ID Number
1986.0988.105
accession number
1986.0988
catalog number
1986.0988.105
Object Name
electronic calculator
Other Terms
electronic calculator; Handheld
Physical Description
plastic (case; keys; display window; circuit boards; feet material)
metal (circuitry material)
Measurements
overall: 3/4 in x 3 in x 5 3/4 in; 1.905 cm x 7.62 cm x 14.605 cm
place made
United States
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Computers
Computers & Business Machines
Handheld Electronic Calculators
National Museum of American History
Record ID
nmah_334519
Metadata Usage (text)
CC0
GUID (Link to Original Record)
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ae-18bd-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
Bowmar 90506 Handheld Electronic Calculator
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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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