Commodore Minuteman 2 Handheld Electronic Calculator
date: label: date made
content: 1972-1974
name: label: distributor
content: Commodore Business Machines, Inc.
label: maker
content: Bowmar/Ali
notes: label: Description
content: This handheld electronic calculator has a white case with black trim and metal keyboard, and an array of square black "Klixon" keys. Such keys have a design trademarked by Texas Instruments and make a distinctive click when pressed. In addition to ten digit and one decimal point key, the calculator has four keys for arithmetic functions. One serves as a total key for addition, another as a difference key for subtraction. The top of the keyboard has a constant switch, a clear entry key, and a red clear key. The on/off switch is below the keyboard. The text next to it reads: commodore (/) Minuteman 2.
label: Description
content: The eight-digit red LED display is behind the keyboard. A cord for recharging the battery attaches at the back of the top. (This example has no cord.)
label: Description
content: The back has four plastic feet. A metal plate there gives operating instructions. Text near the bottom reads: COMMODORE (/) MODEL MM-2 SER. NO. R216527 (/) SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA (/) MADE IN U.S.A.
label: Description
content: This was one of the first models of a handheld calculator sold by Commodore. It was manufactured by Bowmar/Ali and is similar to the Bowmar 901B.
label: Description
content: Compare 1986.0988.099 (the Commodore Minuteman 1) and 1988.0988.129 (the Bowmar 901B).
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. 57.
label: Description
content: <I>New York Times</I>, December 19, 1972, p. 26. Advertisement indicates that the Minuteman 2 had a regular price of $179, sale price of $92.
label: Description
content: <I>New York Times</I>, February 13, 1973, p. 6. Minuteman 2 has a regular price of $179 and a sale price of $79.
label: Description
content: <I>Los Angeles Times</I>, February 22, 1974, P. A2 – Commodore MM2 calculator listed as on sale for $69.95, marked down from an original price of $99.50.
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: 1986.0988.098
label: catalog number
content: 1986.0988.098
label: accession number
content: 1986.0988
objectType: label: Object Name
content: electronic calculator
label: Other Terms
content: electronic calculator; Handheld
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: plastic (case; display cover; keys material)
label: Physical Description
content: glass (tube material)
label: Physical Description
content: metal (circuitry; screws; keyboard material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 1 3/4 in x 3 1/2 in x 6 in; 4.445 cm x 8.89 cm x 15.24 cm