Commodore MM-1 Handheld Electronic Calculator
date: label: date made
content: ca 1972
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 eighteen square plastic "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 D key for recalling the display (which turns off after fifteen seconds), a clear entry key, and a red clear key. The on/off switch is below the keyboard along with a switch for setting the position of the decimal point.
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 BUSINESS MACHINES, INC. (/) MODEL MM-1 (/) 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 1986.0988.098 (the Commodore Minuteman 2) 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>Los Angeles Times</I>, March 14, 1972, p. C5. Advertised as selling for $179. “Now you can face this year’s taxes with confidence.”
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: 1986.0988.099
label: catalog number
content: 1986.0988.099
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; display material)
label: Physical Description
content: glass (tube material)
label: Physical Description
content: metal (circuitry; keyboard material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 1 1/2 in x 3 1/2 in x 6 in; 3.81 cm x 8.89 cm x 15.24 cm