APF Mark 55 Handheld Electronic Calculator

Object Details

APF Electronics

Description

This handheld electronic calculator is designed for scientific work. It has an array of digit keys with a decimal point key, keys for the four arithmetic functions, a sign change key, a reverse x and y key, a down key, an ENT key, and an EE key. At the top are shift, recall, standard deviation, natural log, and clear display keys. Below these are sine, cosine, tangent, summation, and power keys. The function keys all can assume a second function, allowing for evaluation of hyperbolic trigonometric function, decimal logarithms, mean values, square roots, and so forth. A few keys are devoted to converting decimal and standard units of weight and measure—centigrade and Fahrenheit temperatures, liters and gallons, centimeters and inches, and kilograms and pounds.

The ten-digit LED display is behind the keyboard. The device has space for a nickel/cadmium battery behind this, as well as an outlet for an adapter/charger.

A mark above the keyboard, even with the on/off switch, reads: aPF MARK 55. A mark on the sticker on the back of the case reads: aPF mark 55 (/) ADVANCED SCIENTIFIC CALCULATOR. After brief operating instructions, futher marks read: MARK 55 (/) Model No.; J-036646 (/) Serial No.; and: APF ELECTRONICS INC. (/) NEW YORK, N.Y. 10022 (/) MADE IN JAPAN.

A March, 1976, advertisement compared the features of the APF Mark 55 with those of the HP-45, noting that both calculators used reverse Polish notation for data entry, carried out a wide array of operations, and could store and recall nine registers of numbers. According to the advertisement, the HP-45 cost $195 while the APG Mark 55 cost only $79.95.

References:

Los Angeles Times, March 14, 1976, p. V57.

Los Angeles Times, June 8, 1976, p. 9.

Location

Currently not on view

Credit Line

Gift of John B. Priser

ca 1976

ID Number

1986.0988.171

catalog number

1986.0988.171

accession number

1986.0988

Object Name

electronic calculator

Other Terms

electronic calculator; Handheld

Physical Description

plastic (case; keys material)

aluminum (keyboard material)

paper (sticker material)

rubber (feet material)

Measurements

overall: 1 in x 3 in x 6 3/8 in; 2.54 cm x 7.62 cm x 16.1925 cm

place made

Japan

See more items in

Medicine and Science: Computers

Computers & Business Machines

Trigonometry

Handheld Electronic Calculators

National Museum of American History

Record ID

nmah_334585

Metadata Usage (text)

CC0

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ae-15a4-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa