National Semiconductor Novus 6030 Handheld Electronic Calculator, Statistician
date: label: date made
content: 1975-1977
name: label: maker
content: National Semiconductor Corporation
notes: label: Description
content: In 1975, Novus, the Consumer Products branch of National Semiconductor Corporation, introduced a series of handheld electronic calculators known as the “Professionals.” As a June 1975 advertisement in the <I>Chicago Tribune</I> put it, these were designed to fill the gap between “very expensive calculators offering every feature in the book” and “‘Mickey Mouse’ models which were much less costly, but which just didn’t have what it takes to do the job.” The least expensive of these calculators was The Mathematician, which initially sold for $69.95. Others in the series included the Programmable Mathematician, The Financier, The Programmable Financier, The Statistician, The Programmable Statistician, and The International Computer (later sold as The International Converter). By 1976, Novus had also introduced The Scientist and The Programmable Scientist.
label: Description
content: This is an example of the Novus Statistician. The calculator has a tan plastic case, thirty-two rectangular plastic keys, and a plastic display cover. 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. The function of these keys is marked on the keys themselves.
label: Description
content: Above these keys are a total key and a variety of function keys and a clear all key. The function of all but the total key is indicated on the keyboard. A mark above the keyboard reads: Statistician. Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit red LED display. A mark above this reads: NOVUS. 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 sticker on the compartment cover reads in part: BATTERY/ADAPTER (/) INSTRUCTIONS. It also reads in part: NOVUS – Consumer Products (/) National Semiconductor Corp. (/) Made in U.S.A. A second sticker on the back gives operating instructions. It reads in part: NOVUS 6030. It also reads in part: Serial No. 1020564.
label: Description
content: The object comes with a brown leather felt-lined zippered pouch. A mark on the pouch reads: NOVUS. It contains a plastic card with “statistical key callouts” for the calculator.
label: Description
content: References:
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Los Angeles Times</I>, March 15, 1975, p. D4. Novus Statistician advertised as costing $99.95, Novus Financier $99.95.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Chicago Tribune</I>, June 1, 1975, p. A16. Novus Statistician advertised for $99.95.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Los Angeles Times</I>, April 17, 1976, p. C5. Novus Statistician advertised as on sale for $39.95.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: place made
content: United States
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: 1987.0435.24
label: accession number
content: 1987.0435
label: catalog number
content: 1987.0435.24
objectType: label: Object Name
content: electronic calculator
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: plastic (case; keys; display cover; information card material)
label: Physical Description
content: metal (circuitry material)
label: Physical Description
content: paper (stickers material)
label: Physical Description
content: leather, cloth (carrying pouch material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 1 1/2 in x 3 in x 6 in; 3.81 cm x 7.62 cm x 15.24 cm