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Prinztronic MC85

Prinztronic MC85

7.2 v (6x AA) rechargeable battery.

Display is 8 digits, green fluorescent tubes - note the unusual shapes of the digits, characteristic of the displays of Sharp calculators of this period.
Multiplications and divisions are performed to 16 digits - the lower 8 digits are shown by pressing the <-> key.

4 functions, memory.

Main Integrated Circuits - Rockwell 10572PA (date coded 7210 - 1972, week 10) and Sharp 10573SA (date coded 2C016 - 1972, fortnight 3 (?)).
The operating manual gives a clock frequency of 125 KHz.

115 mm x 172 mm x 43 mm (4.5" x 6.75" x 1.7").

Made in Japan for Dixons International.

About 1972.

This ia a rebadged Sharp EL-811, see below.

This calculator is notable for several reasons -

• It is a rebadged Sharp EL-811 in the Prinztronic colours.

• The Sharp EL-811 is the second hand-held calculator model made by Sharp, after the EL-8, and shows the steady advance in the development of the integrated circuits since this model only uses two, and also has memory, against the four of the EL-8.

• Sharp had arrangements with Rockwell for the development of calculator integrated circuits, that Sharp would then manufacture. This calculator has two ICs in the same number series, one made by Rockwell and one made by Sharp.

Vintage Calculators

© Text & photographs copyright Nigel Tout   2000-2012 except where noted otherwise.