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Rapid Data Rapidman 801

Date of introduction:	1973	Display technology:	LED-modules
New price:		Display size:	8
Size:	5.5" x 3.2" x 0.95"
Weight:	6.2 ounces	Serial No:	15-128873
Batteries:		Date of manufacture:	mth 01 year 1974
AC-Adapter:	9V	Origin of manufacture:	Canada
Precision:	8	Integrated circuits:	Rockwell RA1030PE
Memories:
Program steps:		Courtesy of:	Joerg Woerner

If you compare this Rapidman 801 manufactured by Canadian based Rapid Data Systems & Equipment Ltd. with its predecessor Rapidman 800 you'll notice a lot of improvements:

	Instead the cheap looking housing made with a single piece mold it uses a traditional approach.
	The unreliable On/Off-switch using one contact of the keyboard was replaced with a true sliding switch.
	The bold printing on the huge keys was improved.
	The smart plastic frame holding all parts was replaced with a conventional construction.

Compare the changes yourself and take your with the next three pictures.

The electronic circuit uses a "Basic 1KS" Klixon™ keyboard without the usual keycaps. The display is a Litronix type with discrete instead integrated drivers.
The On/Off-switch replaces one contact of the "Basic 1KS" Klixon™ keyboard. We assume that the original design found with the Rapidman 800 wasn't too reliable.
The Rockwell RA1030PE looks expensive with its 42-pin ceramic housing. But end of the year 1973 the price war between the IC-manufacturers was costly.

If you have additions to the above article please email: joerg@datamath.org.