Object Details
- Casio Computer Company
- Description
- This was Casio’s first model of a handheld electronic calculator and one of the first to sell for under $100. It has a black plastic case with aluminum trim on the front. The array of round plastic keys includes ten digit keys, a cancel key, keys for four arithmetic functions (the addition key is also a total key), and an arrow key that is pressed to show more of larger results. To the left of the keyboard is a six-digit vacuum fluorescent display. Left of it is the on/off switch. A mark below the display reads: CASIO-MINI (/) ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR. No decimal point appears in entries or results. A small device to hold a carrying loop is on the left edge of the calculator, but this example has no carrying loop.
- Unscrewing screws on the two ends of the calculator releases the top. A sticker attached in front of the keyboard reads: 6006767. A mark on a chip above the display reads: 2H (/) HD32127P. According to Rick Bensene, this is an early large-scale integrated chip made by Hitachi.
- The back of the calculator has a compartment that would hold four batteries. A mark on the back reads: CASIO-MINI (/) ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR (/) BATTERY SUPPLY 1.5 V x 4 (/) 850mW MADE IN JAPAN (/) CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD. There is residue from a sticker on the back of the battery compartment, but no serial number there.
- A November1972 advertisement in the New York Times lists the Casio Mini as on sale for $59.95. A March 1973 advertisement in the Los Angeles Times lists the Casio Mini as on special for $69.99, noting that it costs $30.00 less than competitive models. An April 1973 advertisement in the Los Angeles Times gives a sale price of $59.99 on a regular price of $69.99.
- By June 1973 an illustration of the Casio Mini in the Los Angeles Times shows a different version of the device that has a power adapter on the left side, square keys, and a decimal point slide switch (the CM-602). It was on sale for $59.95.
- Compare 1986.0988.185.
- References:
- Rick Bensene, Old Calculator Museum website, http://www.oldcalculatormuseum.com/casiomini.html.
- New York Times, November 30, 1972, p. 27.
- Los Angeles Times, March 23, 1973, p. 16.
- Los Angeles Times, April 20, 1973, p. 8.
- Los Angeles Times, June 30, 1973, p. D2.
- Website of Casio International.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Credit Line
- Gift of John B. Priser
- 1972-1973
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.184
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.184
- Object Name
- electronic calculator
- Other Terms
- electronic calculator; Handheld
- Physical Description
- plastic (case; keys; circuit board material)
- metal (trim; circuitry material)
- glass (tubes material)
- paper (sticker material)
- Measurements
- overall: 1 3/8 in x 5 3/4 in x 3 in; 3.4925 cm x 14.605 cm x 7.62 cm
- place made
- Japan
- See more items in
- Medicine and Science: Computers
- Computers & Business Machines
- Handheld Electronic Calculators
- National Museum of American History
- Record ID
- nmah_334598
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a1-404d-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
