DATAMATH CALCULATOR MUSEUM |
Sharp EL-8020
Date of introduction: | March 1976 | Display technology: | LCD (yellow) |
New price: | ¥7.500 | Display size: | 8 |
Size: | 4.3" x 2.6" x 0.3" 109 x 66 x 7 mm3 |
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Weight: | 2.2 ounces, 62 grams | Serial No: | 61228406 |
Batteries: | EA-20N (2.4V) | Date of manufacture: | year 1976 |
AC-Adapter: | EA-20C 3V DC | Origin of manufacture: | Japan |
Precision: | 8 | Integrated circuits: | |
Memories: | |||
Program steps: | Courtesy of: | Joerg Woerner |
Excerpt from Sharp Corporation’s Calculator Innovations:
World’s first calculator using
Film Carrier System and yellow LCD. In the same year Sharp introduced the EL-8026,
the first calculator powered by solar cells.
Dismantling
this innovative calculator reveals indeed two unusual sights. First, the bottom
part of the calculator housing accommodates two small, coin-shaped rechargeable
batteries with a connector for the AC adaptor.
Second,
after removing the printed circuit board (PCB) from the calculator housing,
you'll spot the advertised
Film Carrier System. The calculator chip is bonded to a very thin,
flexible carrier which is soldered to the Main-PCB. It took at least 10 years
before this technology was replaced with the Chip-On-Board (COB) technology,
still in use in 2010.
A similar calculator to the EL-8020 was introduced one year
later with the TI-1750
manufactured by Texas Instruments. Don't miss the EL-8024
featuring a yellow LCD and an external AC adapter.
If you have additions to the above article please email: joerg@datamath.org.
© Joerg Woerner, December 21, 2001. No reprints without written permission.