Collection Item |
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Sharp EL-8 & EL-8M
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| Brand: | Sharp. |
| Model: | EL-8 & EL-8M. |
| Origin: | Japan. |
| Introduction: | EL-8: 1970, EL-8M: 1971. |
| Type: | First portable battery-operated calculators. |
| Functions: | 4-Basic function, memory and double precision mode (only EL-8M), no constant. |
| Display: | 8 digit plus Sign/Error individual VFD Itron tubes. Also includes a red lamp for low battery alarm. |
| Keyboard: | EL-8: 15 reed-switch keys plus ON/OFF switch. EL-8M: 18 reed-switch keys, toggle switch M/D and ON/OFF switch. |
| Main chips: | Four Sharp-designed Rockwell chips. I don't know the exact model of chips because I don't want to open my EL-8 and EL-8M calculators! |
| Logic comments: | Sharp EL-8: Is generally recognized as the world's first
portable electronic calculator. Actually is the portable version of the Sharp QT-8D with the same functionality. The only two differences
with the QT-8D are the red lamp used as a low battery alarm and the On/Off switch with three positions: On with battery, On with AC power
and Off. Please see my Sharp QT-8D for more information. Sharp EL-8M: Is the portable version of the Sharp EL-160 with the same functionality. As with the EL-8, there are only two differences: the low battery alarm and the On/Off switch. Please see my Sharp EL-160 for more information. |
| Remarks: | I have 3 examples of this type: A classic EL-8 white body, a rare EL-8 black body and an EL-8M white body. Below you can see pictures of this 3 examples, alone and in family pictures. |
| Size: | EL-8: 6.38 x 4.05 x 2.83 in, 162 x 103 x 72 mm. EL-8M: 7.28 x 4.05 x 2.83 in, 185 x 103 x 72 mm. |
| Accesories: | Soft carrying case, adapter and soft carrying case for the adapter. |
| Condition: | EL-8 White & Black:
(8.5/10) Good to very good condition, working. EL-8M: (9.5/10) Excellent, very good condition, working. |
| Additional readings: | You can read a complete article about the Sharp EL-8 here, from OldCalculatorMuseum.com. |
Please see this TV commercials from 1970 (Adobe Flash player required).
| Sharp EL-8: (1 minute) |
| Sharp EL-8: (1 minute) | Sharp EL-8M: (8 seconds) |
Sharp EL-8 white body:
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Sharp EL-8 black body:
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Sharp EL-8M white body:
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Family pictures:
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Please see the two center pictures from the last row. This are all white and all black versions of the EL-8, but don't worry...
I simply combined white and black cases to create this special versions!