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: | mth 06 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 manufactured in June 1976 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. Learn how to decipher the
61228406
Date code hidden in the
serial number of the pictured calculator.
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.