Firsts - test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

10 Jan 1998

At 01:44 PM 1/11/98 -0500, you wrote:
...
 > >First programable calc
> 
> Then there is the "first solid state electronic calc" which I think goes
to
> the Busicom from Japan that employed the first production run of the intel
> 4000 chip set: the 4001 (2048 bit ROM), 4002 (320 bit RAM), 4003 (10 bit 
> shift register), and the 4004 (4 bit CPU).  That chip set was shipped to 
> Busicom in March 1971 according to Michael S. Malone's "The
Microprocessor: 
...
   A
Biography" ISBN 0-387-94342-0 
Wang's first (or quite near their first) product was an all electronic
calculator, introduced in the late 1960s. They are big, but could be
lugged around. The best part about them is the core memory! No
microprocessors here (in fact, it may be discrete transistors - I better
open the thing up a check).

William Donzelli
william(a)ans.net
   HP's first calculator, the 9100a, was introduced in 1967 or 68.  It had
no ICs, used core memories, and used logic gates made of diodes and
resistors. It did have transistors but they were mainly used as amplifiers
for the core memory. I guess it still qualifies as "solid state".) It was
fully proggramable and used RPN.  I have a 9100B with a 1969 date code.

  I believe the Japanese Busicom calculator is even older and dates from
about 1966.

  Joe
...