Cool 4004 based calculator

Whilst thrifting for Atari joysticks today, I came across a barely interesting looking desk calculator and a hunch compelled me to take a chance on it. It is the Unicom 141P made by Unicom Systems, Inc. The label indicates, "Made in Japan". "Hmmm...Unicom...Unicom...Japan..." It sounded familiar. Of course I was thinking "Busicom", which is the name of the Japanese company that ordered the development of what became the 4004 for a new calculator they were designing. But I couldn't quite remember the name. At $5, I figured it was worth taking a chance. It was, as I mentioned, a barely interesting desktop calculator, so worst case it would serve as a good example of a 1970s desktop calculator (I was pretty certain it was circa 1970s). So I just opened it up and <surprise> it's got an Intel 4004 inside! Unfortunately, I'm not able to test it out because it requires a funky squarish three prong power cord. I'll have to look around and see if I can find one. There's only one (out of two) relevant Google results, that being this guy's website: http://www.devidts.com/be-calc/index.html With this calculator listed on his "Alphabetic catalog of Electronic Calculators" list. http://www.devidts.com/be-calc/catalog_U.asc.htm Might anyone (Rick Bensene?) have any info about this calculator? Rick's site lists the Busicom 141 in his wanted section: http://www.oldcalculatormuseum.com/wanted.html#WANTED-BUSICOM Is this in fact a re-badged Busicom? Or just coincidence? Rick's description indicates that the Busicom 141 is based on discrete diode/transistor logic with a Nixie tube display, whereas this one has a printing mechanism only. In searching for info, I came across another interesting website here: http://www.dotpoint.com/xnumber/cmhistory.htm ...with this interesting article: http://www.dotpoint.com/xnumber/e_walther.htm Oddly enough (perhaps), this represents the only 4004-based computing device in my archive. I'm relatively stoked ;) (And I haven't been thus about a new find in a long time...) -- Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer

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