National Semiconductor Novus 850 Handheld Electronic Calculator
date: label: date made
content: 1976-1977
name: label: maker
content: National Semiconductor Corporation
notes: label: Description
content: This handheld electronic calculator has a tan plastic case and seventeen rectangular plastic keys. In addition to ten digit keys and a decimal point key, it has a clear entry/clear key, four arithmetic function keys, and a total key. On the left on the brown and off-white keyboard is an on/off switch. Text above it reads: 850 NOVUS. Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit LED display. A compartment for a battery opens on the top of the back.
label: Description
content: A jack for a power adapter is on the left side.
label: Description
content: Advertisements indicate that the Novus 850 was introduced by the fall of 1974 for a price of $25.88 and sold at least through April 1977, when it sold for $4.99. The two-tone keyboard appears only from 1976 onward, hence the dates assigned.
label: Description
content: Compare 1986.0988.306 (a Novus 850) with 1986.0988.305 (a National Semiconductor 850A).
label: Description
content: References:
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Washington Post</I>, November 21, 1974, p. A21. Here the Novus 850 said to be a nine-digit calculator. The ad gives a price of $24.88, compared to $19.88 for the Novus 650.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Chicago Tribune</I>, November 28, 1974, p. C11. Novus 850 said to be an eight-digit calculator using algebraic logic and selling for $19.95.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>New York Times</I>, November 28, 1974, p. 24. Same advertisement as in the <I>Chicago Tribune</I> on the same date.
label: Description
content: Nathaniel C. Nash, “Shakeout Time for Calculators: Hand-Held Units' Prices and Makers Are Falling,” <I>New York Times</I>, December 8, 1974, p. 217. Article mentions that the Novus 850 sells for under $20.00.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Los Angeles Times</I>, February 22, 1975, p. E3. Novus 850 on sale for $16.96, Novus Mathematician (model 4510) on sale for $59.95.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Washington Post</I>, April 6, 1975, p. H12. Novus 850 on sale for $16.88, originally $24.95.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Los Angeles Times</I>, December 13, 1975, p. C4. Novus 850 on sale for $12.95.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Chicago Tribune</I>, December 1, 1976, p. A5. Novus 850 on sale for $6.99, regular $10.95. This ad shows the calculator having a two-tone keyboard, unlike previous advertisements.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Chicago Tribune</I>, April 3, 1977, p. T15. Advertises Novus 850 as selling for $4.99. Shows the calculator as having a two-tone keyboard.
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: 1986.0988.306
label: catalog number
content: 1986.0988.306
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 in x 2 5/8 in x 5 in; 2.54 cm x 6.6675 cm x 12.7 cm