Olympia CD 81

Hand-held Calculators

Olympia CD-81
Panasonic JE-855U

Olympia CD 81 /
Panasonic JE-855U

Distinctive features: One of the most stylish of early hand-held calculators. Can take a holder for replaceable batteries or a rechargeable battery pack.

Technical details:
Display is 8 digits in separate green fluorescent tubes.

4-function, memory.

Integrated circuits - Texas Instruments TMS 0131 date coded 7321.

6v (4x AA) or rechargeable battery pack.

98 x 165 x 45 mm (3.9" x 6.5" x 1.75").

Introduced 1972/3.

Made in Japan.

The Olympia CD 80 / Panasonic JE-850U is a slightly earlier model without the memory function.

This calculator is quite a handful.

The rechargeable battery pack (top left) and the disposable battery pack (bottom left). Either clips into the rear of the calculator as desired.

Inside the rear of the calculator.

Note the keyboard - each key has a small magnet to activate a reed-switch mounted on the circuit board.

Inside the calculator with the circuit board and display unplugged.

A fantastic calculator - it exudes style and quality.

Panasonic made a whole family of calculators with similar style features. The later ones are small-sized pocket calculators, but these early ones with their large size look the most stylish.

This model has many high quality (and so expensive features) -

The keyboard uses reed-switches activated by magnets on the keys. Being sealed these switches are ultra-reliable having long lives and giving few contact bounce problems.
The circuit board and the display are plug-in modules, allowing quick and easy servicing (if necessary).
A choice of power source by the use of clip on power packs.
Even the recharging unit has its own soft carry case too !

Hand-held Calculators

Vintage Calculators