Cool 4004 based calculator

From: ed sharpe <esharpe_at_uswest.net>
Date: Tue Jun 8 00:22:00 2004

I need to find a trashed out calc it seems just so we can get a 4004 for the
microprocessor collection here!
----- Original Message -----
From: "Vintage Computer Festival" <vcf_at_siconic.com>
To: "Classic Computers Mailing List" <cctalk_at_classiccmp.org>
Sent: Saturday, June 05, 2004 12:22 AM
Subject: Cool 4004 based calculator


>
> Whilst thrifting for Atari joysticks today, I came across a barely
> interesting looking desk calculator and a hunch compelled me to take a
> chance on it. It is the Unicom 141P made by Unicom Systems, Inc. The
> label indicates, "Made in Japan".
>
> "Hmmm...Unicom...Unicom...Japan..." It sounded familiar. Of course I was
> thinking "Busicom", which is the name of the Japanese company that
> ordered the development of what became the 4004 for a new calculator they
> were designing. But I couldn't quite remember the name. At $5, I figured
> it was worth taking a chance. It was, as I mentioned, a barely
> interesting desktop calculator, so worst case it would serve as a good
> example of a 1970s desktop calculator (I was pretty certain it was circa
> 1970s).
>
> So I just opened it up and <surprise> it's got an Intel 4004 inside!
>
> Unfortunately, I'm not able to test it out because it requires a funky
> squarish three prong power cord. I'll have to look around and see if I
> can find one.
>
> There's only one (out of two) relevant Google results, that being this
> guy's website:
>
> http://www.devidts.com/be-calc/index.html
>
> With this calculator listed on his "Alphabetic catalog of Electronic
> Calculators" list.
>
> http://www.devidts.com/be-calc/catalog_U.asc.htm
>
> Might anyone (Rick Bensene?) have any info about this calculator? Rick's
> site lists the Busicom 141 in his wanted section:
>
> http://www.oldcalculatormuseum.com/wanted.html#WANTED-BUSICOM
>
> Is this in fact a re-badged Busicom? Or just coincidence? Rick's
> description indicates that the Busicom 141 is based on discrete
> diode/transistor logic with a Nixie tube display, whereas this one has a
> printing mechanism only.
>
> In searching for info, I came across another interesting website here:
>
> http://www.dotpoint.com/xnumber/cmhistory.htm
>
> ...with this interesting article:
>
> http://www.dotpoint.com/xnumber/e_walther.htm
>
> Oddly enough (perhaps), this represents the only 4004-based computing
> device in my archive.
>
> I'm relatively stoked ;)
>
> (And I haven't been thus about a new find in a long time...)
>
> --
>
> Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer
Festival
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
> International Man of Intrigue and Danger
http://www.vintage.org
>
> [ Old computing resources for business || Buy/Sell/Trade Vintage
mputers   ]
> [ and academia at www.VintageTech.com  || at
http://marketplace.vintage.org  ]
>
>
Received on Tue Jun 08 2004 - 00:22:00 BST

This archive was generated by hypermail 2.3.0 : Fri Oct 10 2014 - 23:36:56 BST