DATAMATH CALCULATOR MUSEUM
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DATAMATH CALCULATOR MUSEUM |
Sharp EL-8
| Date of introduction: | November 1970 | Display technology: | Fluorescent |
| New price: | $345 | Display size: | 8 |
| Size: | 6.4" x 4.0" x 2.6" | ||
| Weight: | 1 pound 4 ounces | Serial No: | 11170Y |
| Batteries: | EL-84 (6*AA NiCd) | Date of manufacture: | year 1970 |
| AC-Adapter: | EL-81 | Origin of manufacture: | Japan |
| Precision: | 8 | Integrated circuits: | Rockwell NRD2256, AC2261, DC2266, AU2271, CG1121 |
| Memories: | |||
| Program steps: | Courtesy of: | Joerg Woerner |
Sharp
Electronics Corporation introduced end of the year 1970 with the EL-8 - also
known as ELSI-8 for Extra Large-Scale Integration - their first portable,
battery operated calculator. It uses the same technology as the desktop
calculator QT-8D. A version without the rechargeable
batteries was sold later as EL-8A. The next calculator in Sharp's line
was the EL-811.
Dismantling a Sharp EL-8 calculator manufactured in 1970
reveals an impressive mechanical design based on a robust metal chassis holding
the keyboard assembly, display module and electronics. Below the keyboard
assembly we identify nine integrated display drivers manufactured by Hitachi.
The display itself makes use of individual Itron fluorescent tubes with
the odd trademark segmentation of early Sharp calculators.
An additional printed circuit board (PCB) hosts the brain of
the calculator - the famous Rockwell chip set based on 4 larger Integrated
Circuits (ICs) labeled NRD2256, AC2261, DC2266, AU2271 and a smaller clock driver labeled CG1121.
Read more about Sharp
Corporation’s Calculator Innovations.
If you have additions to the above article please email: joerg@datamath.org.
© Joerg Woerner, December 5, 2001. No reprints without written permission.