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.

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 slotinto a card-edge connector mounted to the keypad assembly, with the power board being connected to the display board via a wired connector.

The calculator uses a reed-switch keypad, Vacuum Fluorescent Displays (8x Itron DG10: and 1x Itron SP-8A), and 9 Integrated Circuits, the Rockwell DC1152, and the NRD2256.