Corvus 312 Handheld Electronic Calculator
date: label: date made
content: 1973-1974
name: label: maker
content: Corvus Corporation
notes: label: Description
content: This is an early example of a handheld electronic calculator manufactured by a subsidiary of Mostek Corporation, Corvus Corporation of Dallas, Texas. Founded in 1969 as a spinoff of Texas Instruments, Mostek became a leading manufacturer of semiconductors. Some of its first products were chips used by the Japanese firm of Busicom in desktop electronic calculators. In 1970 Busicom introduced such a calculator that used only a single Mostek chip. For a brief time in the 1970s Mostek sold electronic calculators through a subsidiary named Corvus Corporation. According to trademark registration for Corvus, the term was first used in commerce referring to an electronic digital calculator in 1973. Advertisements for the Corvus 312 appeared in 1973 and 1974.
label: Description
content: The calculator has a tan plastic case, a black keyboard, and twenty rectangular plastic keys. In addition to ten digit keys, a decimal point key, and a total key, there are four keys for arithmetic functions, as well as percentage, square root key, clear entry and clear keys. A tag above the keyboard reads: CORVUS. Behind this is the eight-digit red LED display.
label: Description
content: A battery pack at the base of the back of the calculator would hold four batteries. This example has no batteries and no cover for the compartment. A tag above the battery compartment reads in part: CORVUS 312 (/) ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR. It also reads: SERIAL NO. (/) 312-149334. It also reads: POWER 8VDC 100 mA 115 (/) 4 “AA” batteries 115VAC (/) with adaptor. (/) CAUTION: Attempted repair (/) by unauthorized persons will (/) void warranty. (/) CORVUS (/) CORPORATION (/) Dallas, Texas.
label: Description
content: Four screws hold the back of the calculator to the front. Taking off the back reveals two circuits, one of green plastic and the other (directly under the keys) apparently of glass. A mark on the smaller board reads: LEI-1. Chip not visible.
label: Description
content: The calculator has a black plastic sleeve.
label: Description
content: References:
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Los Angeles Times</I>, November 11, 1973, p. OC_A2. Corvus 312 selling for $89.95.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement]. <I>Washington Post</I>, December 22, 1973, p. D8. Corvis 312 selling for $89.95. Also selling the Covus 322 (with memory) for $99.95.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Chicago Tribune</I>, November 12, 1974, p. 8. Corvus 312, regularly $59.88, on sale for $39.88.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: place made
content: United States: Texas, Dallas
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: 1986.0988.102
label: catalog number
content: 1986.0988.102
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; keys; sleeve material)
label: Physical Description
content: metal (circuitry material)
label: Physical Description
content: glass (board material)
label: Physical Description
content: paper (sticker material)
label: Physical Description
content: rectangular (case shape)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 1 3/8 in x 3 in x 6 in; 3.4925 cm x 7.62 cm x 15.24 cm