National Semiconductor Novus 650 Mathbox Handheld Electronic Calculator
date: label: date made
content: 1974-1976
name: label: maker
content: National Semiconductor Corporation
notes: label: Description
content: This handheld electronic calculator has a black plastic case and fifteen rectangular plastic keys. These include ten digit keys, a clear entry/clear key, and four arithmetic function keys. The + key also serves as an enter key. Behind the keys is an on/off switch. Text next to it reads: Mathbox. Behind this is a red LED display. Advertisements indicate this showed up to six-digit results. A mark near the back of the calculator reads: NOVUS (/) 650. A jack for a power adapter is on the left side.
label: Description
content: The back of the calculator has a compartment for a nine volt battery. The cover of the battery compartment in this example is tan, not matching the rest of the case.
label: Description
content: A sticker on the back gives operating instructions. It reads at the top: NOVUS 650. It reads near the bottom: NOVUS – Consumer Products from (/) National Semiconductor Corporation (/) Made in U.S.A. The sticker also reads: Serial No. (/) 1366399.
label: Description
content: The Novus Mathbox 650 is unusual among non-HP calculators in using reverse Polish notation. Prices found range from $15.00 in 1974 down to $4.88 in 1976.
label: Description
content: References:
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Chicago Tribune</I>, December 8, 1974, p. E30. Advertises the Mathbox as on sale for $15.00.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Washington Post </I>, February 16, 1975, p. 18. Sale price for Novus 650 given as $14.88, a $5 savings.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Washington Post</I>, March 12, 1975, p. A9. Novus 650 advertised on sale for $12.99, originally $19.99.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Washington Post</I>, April 11, 1975, p. A24. Novus 650 on sale for $10.98.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Washington Post</I>, February 4, 1976, p. B15. Sale price for Novus 650 was $7.99.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Washington Post</I>, November 2, 1976, p. A15. Sale price for Novus 650 was $4.88, regularly $6.99.
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: 1986.0988.304
label: catalog number
content: 1986.0988.304
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: Physical Description
content: paper (sticker 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