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Sony Model MD-6 Prototype Electronic Calculator

National Museum of American History

Object Details

Sony Corporation of America
Description
This is a prototype for a non-printing desktop electronic calculator made by Sony Corporation of Japan. It has an array of nine digit keys, with a zero bar and a decimal point key below these. The keyboard also includes keys for the four arithmetic operations and an equals key. The machine also has an on/off switch, a clear key, and an “attention” light on the left and five further keys on the right. Behind is a display for the answer. The machine shows result up to ten digits long in ten tubes.
A mark on the front left of the machine reads: SONY. A mark on the back reads: SONY ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR (/) MODEL MD-6 NO. 7K282214.
A slightly earlier Sony prototype calculator was exhibited at the World Electronics Show in New York in the latter part of March 1964, and the Japanese Pavilion at the New York World Exposition opening in April. Early engineering drawings for the MD-6 are dated July 18, 1964.
References:
Accession File
Documentation received as part of accession 313986.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Gift of Sony Corporation
1964
ID Number
CI.334388
accession number
313986
catalog number
334388
Object Name
electronic calculator
Physical Description
rubber (feet material)
glass (cover for display material)
plastic (keys material)
metal (case material)
Measurements
overall: 7 in x 13 1/2 in x 17 1/2 in; 17.78 cm x 34.29 cm x 44.45 cm
place made
Japan: Tōkyō, Tokyo
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Computers
Computers & Business Machines
Desktop Electronic Calculators
National Museum of American History
Subject
Business
Record ID
nmah_334764
Metadata Usage (text)
CC0
GUID (Link to Original Record)
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a1-3391-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Related Content

  • Electronic Calculators—Desktop

    American History Museum
Sony Model MD-6 Prototype Desktop Electronic Calculator, Front View
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.
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