Sharp EL-8

Sharp EL-8

Manufacturer	Sharp
Introduced	1970
Calculator
Display type	VFD
Display size	8 digits
Programming
Other
Serial Numbers	1012099

The Sharp EL-8 was an early handheld calculator produced by Sharp starting around December 1970.

Special features

Since the calculator uses the Itron font tubes it does not feature leading-zero supression, to help with readability (e.g. it would display '00000001' to display '1').

The calculator uses separate 'minus equals' and 'plus equals' keys, as well as a single key for multiplication and division, this was common for the time period.

Internal design

The calculator uses 3 PCBs internally, one for the logic, one for the display, and another for the power supply, the logic board and display board slot into a card-edge connector mounted to the keypad assembly, with the power board being connected to the display board via a wired connector and mounted with screws.

The calculator uses a reed-switch keypad, Vacuum Fluorescent Displays (8x Itron DG10L and 1x Itron SP8A), and 9 Integrated Circuits, the Rockwell AC2261, AU2271B, DC1152A, NRD2256, the Hitachi HD3121, and the NEC μPD190C.

Sharp EL-8

The Sharp EL-8 came in the colors black and white.

Gallery

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  Powered on.

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  Bottom case.

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  Badge (#1012099).

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  Rear of internals (with battery-bypass capacitor mod).

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  Front of the internals.

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  Powered-on without the display cage, there is copper tape against the back of the tubes and without the tape having a connection to ground the tubes will light dimly and unevenly.

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  Top of the keypad cage.

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  Bottom of the keypad cage.

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  Display board assembly.

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  Top of the logic board.

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  Bottom of the logic board.

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  Top of the power supply board.

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  Bottom of the power supply board (with battery-bypass capacitor mod).

Carrying case

The Sharp EL-8 came with a carrying case, the zipper latches shut and the carrying handle can button into 2 positions, with the handle extended or retracted.

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  Front

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  Side, showing buttons

Sharp EL-81 Power brick

The Sharp EL-8 came with a Sharp EL-81 power brick for charging and powering the calculator.

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  Top of the power brick

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  Bottom of the power brick

EL-84 Battery

The Sharp EL-8's battery pack is 7.2v rechargable nickel-cadmium (NiCad) made up of 6 AA-sized cells.

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  Sharp EL-84 Battery pack

External Resources

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See also

• Sharp EL-160