Object Details
- Rockwell International
- Dataking, Inc.
- Description
- Early handheld electronic calculators used vacuum fluorescent or light emitting diode displays. The Dataking LC-800 was one of the first to use a liquid crystal display, reducing the power required for calculations. Rockwell International actually manufactured the calculator, a fact openly acknowledged in advertisements. The same calculator also sold as the Ibico 86 and the Lloyd’s 40.
- The calculator has twenty cream-colored rectangular keys with an on/off switch above the keyboard. In addition to ten digit keys, a clear key, a decimal point key, a percentage key, a total key, and four arithmetic function keys, there are two memory keys that are operated in conjunction with the arithmetic function keys. A mark next to the switch reads: DATAKING.
- At the back is the liquid crystal display, with a window behind it to illuminate the display. There is no provision for a power adapter as the calculator operated only on batteries.
- The bottom of the back has a compartment for two nine-volt batteries. A sticker above this reads: DATAKING LC-800 (/) DATAKING, INC. (/) DC 18V. (/) SERIAL NO. 145160 (/) assembled in MEXICO (/) primarily of UNITED STATES parts.
- Unscrewing four screws allows one to remove the back of the case. The circuit board covers the chip.
- References:
- [Advertisement], New York Times, May 12, 1974, p. 48. Calculator has a national introductory price of $59.95 and a suggested retail price of $99.95.
- [Advertisement], New York Times, June 2, 1974, p. B4.
- [Advertisement], Washington Post, June 16, 1974, p. L4.
- [Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, August 13, 1974, p. E16.
- Guy Ball and Bruce Flamm, The Complete Collector’s Guide to Pocket Calculators, Tustin, CA: Wilson/Barnett, 1997, p. 66.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Credit Line
- Gift of John B. Priser
- 1974
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.141
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.141
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Object Name
- electronic calculator
- Other Terms
- electronic calculator; Handheld
- Physical Description
- plastic (case; display; keys material)
- metal (circuitry material)
- paper (stickers material)
- Measurements
- overall: 1 3/4 in x 3 3/8 in x 6 in; 4.445 cm x 8.5725 cm x 15.24 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_334555
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ae-1ef3-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
