National Semiconductor Mathematician Handheld Electronic Calculator
date: label: date made
content: 1975-1977
name: label: maker
content: National Semiconductor Corporation
notes: label: Description
content: In addition to selling calculators under the Novus name, National Semiconductor Company sold models with the same capabilities but somewhat different styling under its own name. This handheld electronic calculator has the same capabilities as the Novus Mathematician.
label: Description
content: The calculator has a black plastic case, thirty-two rectangular plastic keys, and a plastic display cover. The function of the keys is written on the keyboard rather than being marked on the keys themselves.
label: Description
content: At the bottom of the keyboard are ten digit keys, a decimal point key, and a clear key. To the right of these is a column of four arithmetic function keys. Depressing the F key in the upper left corner of the keyboard allows two of these keys to be used as memory keys, another for entering degrees, and the fourth for entering radians.
label: Description
content: Above these keys are an enter key and a variety of function keys, some of which also can assume more than one function. These include two memory keys, a change sign key, a pi key, a square root / square key, a log key, an exchange key, a power key, an exponent key, a natural log key, an inverse key, and keys for trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions. A mark above the keyboard reads: Mathematician.
label: Description
content: Problems are entered into the Mathematician using reverse Polish notation.
label: Description
content: Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit red LED display. It has no provision for displaying results in scientific notation. A mark above the display reads: National Semiconductor. The jack for a power adapter is along the back edge and a power switch is on the left edge.
label: Description
content: A battery compartment opens on the back of the calculator. A faint mark molded into the plastic near the top of the back reads: MADE IN MALAYSIA (/) P641. This particular example lacks both a cover for the battery compartment and any stickers identifying the model and serial number.
label: Description
content: Compare the Novus Mathematician (1986.0988.277) and the HP-21 (1987.0435.08).
label: Description
content: Reference:
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Steubenville [Ohio] Herald-Star</I>, September 7, 1977, p. 11. National Semiconductor Mathematician is on sale for $13.88.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: place made
content: Malaysia
setName: label: See more items in
content: Medicine and Science: Computers
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content: Computers & Business Machines
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content: Handheld Electronic Calculators
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Gift of John B. Priser
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: 1986.0988.232
label: catalog number
content: 1986.0988.232
label: accession number
content: 1986.0988
objectType: label: Object Name
content: electronic calculator
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: plastic (case; keys; display cover material)
label: Physical Description
content: metal (circuitry material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 1 1/4 in x 2 3/4 in x 6 in; 3.175 cm x 6.985 cm x 15.24 cm