Skip to main content

Search

My Visit
Donate
Home Smithsonian Institution

Site Navigation

  • Visit
    • Museums and Zoo
    • Entry and Guidelines
    • Maps and Brochures
    • Dine and Shop
    • Accessibility
    • Visiting with Kids
    • Group Visits
      • Group Sales
  • What's On
    • Exhibitions
      • Current
      • Upcoming
      • Past
    • Online Events
    • All Events
    • IMAX & Planetarium
  • Explore
    • - Art & Design
    • - History & Culture
    • - Science & Nature
    • Collections
      • Open Access
    • Research Resources
      • Libraries
      • Archives
        • Smithsonian Institution Archives
        • Air and Space Museum
        • Anacostia Community Museum
        • American Art Museum
        • Archives of American Art
        • Archives of American Gardens
        • American History Museum
        • American Indian Museum
        • Asian Art Museum Archives
        • Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, African Art
        • Hirshhorn Archive
        • National Anthropological Archives
        • National Portrait Gallery
        • Ralph Rinzler Archives, Folklife
        • Libraries' Special Collections
    • Podcasts
    • Stories
  • Learn
    • For Caregivers
    • For Educators
      • Art & Design Resources
      • Science & Nature Resources
      • Social Studies & Civics Resources
      • Professional Development
      • Events for Educators
      • Field Trips
    • For Students
    • For Academics
    • For Lifelong Learners
  • Support Us
    • Become a Member
    • Renew Membership
    • Make a Gift
    • Volunteer
      • Smithsonian Call Center
      • Ambassador Program
      • Museum Information Desk
      • Docent Programs
      • Behind-the-Scenes
      • Digital Volunteers
      • Participatory Science
  • About
    • Our Organization
      • Board of Regents
        • Members
        • Committees
        • Reading Room
        • Bylaws, Policies and Procedures
        • Schedules and Agendas
        • Meeting Minutes
        • Actions
        • Webcasts
        • Contact
      • Museums and Zoo
      • Research Centers
      • Cultural Centers
      • Education Centers
      • General Counsel
        • Legal History
        • Internships
        • Records Requests
          • Reading Room
        • Tort Claim
        • Subpoenas & Testimonies
        • Events
      • Office of Human Resources
        • Employee Benefits
        • How to Apply
        • Job Opportunities
        • Job Seekers with Disabilities
        • Frequently Asked Questions
        • SI Civil Program
        • Contact Us
      • EEO & Small Business
        • EEO Complaint Process
        • Individuals with Disabilities
        • Small Business Program
          • Doing Business with Us
          • Contracting Opportunities
          • Additional Resources
        • Special Emphasis Program
      • Sponsored Projects
        • Policies
          • Combating Trafficking in Persons
          • Animal Care and Use
          • Human Research
        • Reports
        • Internships
    • Our Leadership
    • Reports and Plans
      • Annual Reports
      • Metrics Dashboard
        • Dashboard Home
        • Virtual Smithsonian
        • Public Engagement
        • National Collections
        • Research
        • People & Operations
      • Strategic Plan
    • Newsdesk
      • News Releases
      • Media Contacts
      • Photos and Video
      • Media Kits
      • Fact Sheets
      • Visitor Stats
      • Secretary and Admin Bios
      • Filming Requests

Coleco Digits Handheld Electronic Game

National Museum of American History

Object Details

Coleco
Description
This electronic game is the general size and shape of a handheld electronic calculator. The purpose of the game is to figure out a four-digit code generated (but not displayed) by pressing the "CODE" button in the top row of keys. If the "SKILL" switch in the bottom row is set at 1, the secret code will have no digits larger than a five, if the skill position is 2, any digit may be used. Players guess the code by entering a number in the "CODE" section of the LED display. Pressing the "TRY" key reveals the number of correct digits in the correct position and the number of correct digits in an incorrect position. Clearing the display by pushing the C button, one can enter further guesses. If and when the correct secret code is numbered, a 4 and a 0 appear in status boxes and that display flashes.
An outlet for an adapter is on the fight side of the plastic case. The battery compartment on the back holds a nine volt battery. A sticker on the inside of this compartment reads: 44 01 8. A sticker below the compartment on the back gives instructions for playing the game. A mark below this sticker reads: HONG KONG.
References:
Chicago Tribune, November 25, 1978, p. S6.
Carla Kallan, "Electronic Games People Play: Toy Outlets Reflect the Arrival of the Computer Age," Los Angeles Times, December 11, 1979, p. H1, H5.
“DIGITS Instructions and Game Rules,” Amsterdam, N.Y.: Coleco Industries, Inc., 1978. This is online at: https://archive.org/details/manuals-handheld-games-Coleco-Digits. Accessed June 3, 2014.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Gift of John B. Priser
ca 1978
ID Number
1986.0988.130
accession number
1986.0988
catalog number
1986.0988.130
Object Name
electronic calculator
electronic game
Other Terms
electronic calculator; Handheld
Physical Description
plastic (case; keys; cover material)
paper (stickers material)
metal (circuitry; label material)
Measurements
overall: 2 in x 3 1/4 in x 6 1/2 in; 5.08 cm x 8.255 cm x 16.51 cm
place made
China: Hong Kong
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Computers
Computers & Business Machines
Handheld Electronic Calculators
National Museum of American History
Record ID
nmah_334544
Metadata Usage (text)
CC0
GUID (Link to Original Record)
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a8-78dd-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
Coleco Digits Handheld Electronic Calculator
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.
View manifest View in Mirador Viewer

Footer logo

Link to homepage

Footer navigation

  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Get Involved
  • Inspector General
  • Records Requests
  • Accessibility
  • EEO & Small Business
  • Shop Online
  • Host Your Event
  • Press Room
  • Privacy
  • Terms of Use

Social media links

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn

Get the latest news from the Smithsonian

Sign up for Smithsonian e-news

Get the latest news from the Smithsonian

Email powered by BlackBaud (Privacy Policy, Terms of Use)
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
Back to Top