Sharp EL-120
Sharp EL-120
Distinctive features: Low-cost calculator - 3 digit display. Has counter function.
Technical details:
Display is 3 digits, green vacuum fluorescent. Calculates with 9 digits, but only displays 3 digits at a time, see below.
4-function. Also has a 'count' trigger (white wedge-shapped button under the display); each time it is pressed it adds 1 to the display, which can then have calculations performed on it.
4.5v (3x AA batteries).
168 x 68 x 21 mm.
1973[1].
Made in Japan.
This was Sharp's answer to the very low cost Casio Mini.
One way of reducing the cost of a calculator was to reduce the number of digits shown on the display. Using 6 digits was quite common, and the Royal Digital III used 4 digits, but this calculator took this to the extreme.
The circuit board with the single integrated circuit from Hitachi and the 3-digit vacuum fluorescent display tube.
The display after entering 123456789.
The " indicates that there are two more display-full's of digits to be displayed.
The display after pressing the yellow -> key once reveals the next three digits.
The display after pressing the yellow -> key a second time reveals the final three digits.
Hand-held Calculators
Vintage Calculators
© Text & photographs copyright Nigel Tout 2000-2023 except where noted otherwise.