You would possibly surprise why you’d restore a calculator when you may choose up a brand new one for a buck. [Tech Tangents] although has some previous Sony calculators that used Nixie tubes, together with one from the Sixties. Two of his latest finds of Sony SOBAX calculators want restore, and we predict you’ll agree that restoring these historic calculators is nicely well worth the effort. Does your calculator have a carrying deal with? We didn’t assume so. Take a look at the video beneath to see what that appears like.
The units don’t even use fashionable ICs. Inside, there are modules of discrete components encapsulated in epoxy. There isn’t even RAM inside, however there’s a delay line reminiscence, though it’s marked “unrepairable.”
There’s some fascinating historical past about this line of calculators, and the video covers that. Apparently, the entire line of early calculators grew out of an engineer’s private undertaking to make use of transistors that had been scrapped as a result of they didn’t meet the specs for no matter utility that used them.
The deal with isn’t simply beauty. You possibly can get an exterior battery pack if you happen to actually needed a really heavy — about 14 kilos (6.3 kilograms) — and huge transportable calculator. We’re certain the $1,000 retail price ticket didn’t embody a battery.
These machines are stunning, and it’s enjoyable to see the development of those previous units. You would possibly assume our favourite calculator relies on Star Trek. As a lot as we do like that, we nonetheless assume the HP-41C is perhaps the perfect calculator ever made, even in emulation.
