Accession No

6074

Brief Description

portable electronic calculator, model K-80M, by Santek, TEAL, Japanese, c. 1972

Origin

Japan

Maker

Santek TEAL [Tokyo Electron Applications Laboratory]

Class

calculating

Earliest Date

1972

Latest Date

1972

Inscription Date

Material

plastic (various, expanded polystyrene); metal (steel); paper (cardboard)

Dimensions

length 220mm; width 130mm; depth 42mm

Special Collection

Provenance

Donated on or before 14/06/2006.

Inscription

‘SANTEK’ [on front]
‘8 digit
Portable Electronic Calculator
POWER SOURCE AC and DC’ [on side of box]

Description Notes

portable electronic calculator by Santek, model K-80M; Japanese; c.1972

8 digit calculator with gas discharge tube display (each numeral in a separate tube). Gas discharge tubes operate in the same way as a neon lamp - with an applied voltage of around 60V an amber discharge is generated around the energised wire electrode.

Runs on 4x C size batteries or 6V DC power. Analogue battery meter on top right, in the form of a rotating green/red dial. Switch on left for altering the number of decimal places (2, 4, auto). Four standard functions. Plastic carrying strap on left hand side.

Although the label indicates the maker as Santek, this model looks identical to the K-80M model produced by TEAL (Tokyo Electron Applications Laboratory), apart from the maker’s label. This object may have come from the same factory, however very little information on the Santek version exists.

With original packaging: cardboard box and expanded polystyrene tray. Cardboard box was sent through the post, presumably when new, and is postmarked London, 21/11/72.

Condition good; expanded polystyrene appears stable; box in fair/poor condition, with sticky tape and sticking plaster present.

References

Events