DATAMATH CALCULATOR MUSEUM
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DATAMATH CALCULATOR MUSEUM |
Texas Instruments Spelling B
| Date of introduction: | 1980 | Display technology: | Fluorescent |
| New price: | $30.00 | Display size: | 8 alphanumeric |
| Size: | 6.2" x 3.4" x 1.1" 157 x 86 x 29 mm3 |
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| Weight: | 5.7 ounces, 163 grams | Serial No: | |
| Batteries: | 9V | Date of manufacture: | wk 15 year 1980 |
| AC-Adapter: | Origin of manufacture: | USA (ATA) | |
| Precision: | Integrated circuits: | TMC0274, TMC0355 (CD2602) | |
| Memories: | |||
| Program steps: | Courtesy of: | Joerg Woerner | |
| Download manual: | 
(EU: 6.6M Bytes)
(EU: 3.9M Bytes) |
About
two years after the introduction of
the original Spelling B appeared this slightly
enhanced version. At first glance you'll notice the note symbol printed on
the display bezel as a short hint to the added buzzer.
Dismantling
this Spelling B manufactured in April 1980 by Texas Instruments in their
Abilene, TX facility reveals a very clean design based on a double-sided printed
circuit board (PCB) and powered by a 9V alkaline battery. Compared with the
original design you'll notice the already mentioned additional piezo buzzer
connected with two red wires to the PCB.
A
closer inspection of the 2nd generation of the Spelling B reveals a big surprise!
The
original design based on two
TMS1000 series microcontrollers was replaced with a
TMC0274 microcontroller
and
a TMC0355
Voice Synthesis Memory (VSM), known as " 128kBit Speech-ROM" of the Speak &
Spell family.
An identical product was sold in United Kingdom with the Spelling
ABC, while the Spelling ABC introduced in
Germany makes use of another language ROM.
All models were later replaced with a product using a LC-display. View it here.
If you have additions to the above article please email: joerg@datamath.org.
© Joerg Woerner, June 6, 2008. No reprints without written permission.