National Semiconductor Novus Attache Handheld Electronic Calculator
date: label: date made
content: 1975-1976
name: label: maker
content: National Semiconductor Corporation
notes: label: Description
content: In the mid-1970s, calculator manufacturers envisioned selling calculators in combination with other aids to personal finance. This handheld electronic calculator is designed to fit in an oversized checkbook case, along with checks and space for a credit card, a pen, and a tablet of paper. This example consists of only the calculator. It has a plastic case with no back other than a circuit board, fifteen rectangular plastic keys, and a plastic display cover. Metallic-looking stickers are on the keyboard and the right edge. The calculator has ten digit keys, four arithmetic function keys (the addition key also serves as an enter key), and a clear key. The on/off switch is above the keyboard on the left. A mark to the right of it reads: Attaché. The six-digit LED display behind this automatically inserts a decimal point in front of the two rightmost digits.
label: Description
content: The back of this part of the calculator is a green plastic circuit board. A long battery compartment on the left side has a paper sticker that reads: NOVUS Consumer Products from (/) National Semiconductor (/) Serial No. 139477 Made in U.S.A.
label: Description
content: Prices ranged from $29.95 down to $19.96.
label: Description
content: Compare Unitrex CB8SL (1986.098.161) and Novus Attache (1986.0988.227).
label: Description
content: References:
label: Description
content: Guy Ball and Bruce Flamm, <I>The Complete Collector’s Guide to Pocket Calculators</I>, Tustin, CA: Wilson/Barnett, 1997, p. 108. Give date of ca. 1975.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Milwaukee Journal</I>, November 7, 1975, p. 11. Lists this calculator as on sale for $21.88.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Washington Post</I>, December 3, 1975, p. E3. Advertised at price of $29.95.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Westfield [N.J.] Leader</I>, December 4, 1975, p. 28. Advertised as “calculator in a wallet.” Calculator sells with space for checkbook, credit card, and pen. Price $29.95.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Southern Illinoisan</I>, August 9, 1976, p. 30. On sale for $19.96.
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
label: See more items in
content: Computers & Business Machines
label: See more items in
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: 1986.0988.227
label: catalog number
content: 1986.0988.227
label: accession number
content: 1986.0988
objectType: label: Object Name
content: electronic calculator
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: plastic (case; keys; circuit board material)
label: Physical Description
content: paper (stickers material)
label: Physical Description
content: metal (circuitry material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 1/2 in x 3 1/2 in x 6 1/2 in; 1.27 cm x 8.89 cm x 16.51 cm