Object Details
- Bowmar/Ali
- Description
- This handheld electronic calculator has a cream-colored plastic case with a charcoal-colored plastic keyboard and blue plastic keys. In addition to ten digit keys, it has a decimal point key, a total key, keys for the four arithmetic functions, a percent key, and a clear/clear entry key. The on/off switch is right of the clear key. Behind these is an eight-digit LED display. A mark on the display reads: math mate. Another mark there reads: by Bowmar.
- The socket for the AC adapter is on the right side. The back of the calculator has a compartment for a battery as well as two rubber feet. The calculator has no serial number.
- The object and a sheet of instructions fit in a cardboard box. A mark on the back of the box reads: math mate by Bowmar (/) The first inexpensive calculator (/) good enough to be called Bowmar. (/) Fully featured (/) Quick and easy to operate (/) Full one year guarantee. Further text reads: Printed in USA. Another mark reads: Assembled in Mexico. A sticker attached to the back of the box reads: CONTINENTAL MICROSYSTEMS (/) P. O. Box 1964 (/) NOGALES, AZ. 85621l.
- Bowmar introduced a calculator in 1971, and had successful sales in 1972 and 1973. Assembly began in Mexico in mid-1974. The company went bankrupt in February 1975 and stopped building calculators in the middle of that year. By 1976 distribution of Bowmar calculators had been taken over by Continental Microsystems. A September 14, 1975, advertisement indicates that the Math Mate then was on sale for $14.77.
- Compare 1986.0988.106.
- References:
- William D. Smith, "Hand-Held Calculators: Tool or Toy?" New York Times, August 20, 1972, p. F7.
- George Lazarus, "Bowmar's calculators add up sales, potential," Chicago Tribune, June 27, 1973, p. E10.
- "Business Briefs," New York Times, August 28, 1974, p. 43.
- Leonard Wiener, "Pocket calculator industry in ferment," Chicago Tribune, September 23, 1974, p. C9.
- "Bowmar to drop its calculator line," Chicago Tribune, p. C9.
- Leonard Wiener, "Calculator's answers are right - it says so," Chicago Tribune, June 16, 1976, p. C11.
- Washington Post, September 14, 1975, p. 136.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Credit Line
- Gift of John B. Priser
- ca 1975
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.107
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.107
- Object Name
- electronic calculator
- Other Terms
- electronic calculator; Handheld
- Physical Description
- plastic (case; display; keys material)
- metal (circuitry material)
- paper (box; instructions material)
- Measurements
- overall: 1 in x 2 1/2 in x 5 1/8 in; 2.54 cm x 6.35 cm x 13.0175 cm
- place made
- Mexico
- See more items in
- Medicine and Science: Computers
- Computers & Business Machines
- Handheld Electronic Calculators
- National Museum of American History
- Record ID
- nmah_334521
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ae-180c-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
