#Commodore Name
28 messages in this thread
Well……..I can offer a Commodore calculator. <g>
—Betty
Speaking of Commodore calculators, does anyone know anything about the
500E? I picked up one of these ancient nixie-tube-display monsters at the
Auction. It only knows how to do basic arithmetic. I suspect it is one
of the world's first commercial desk calculators, but I'm wondering if
anyone can date it or provide any other details…
I don't know, Dale. Probably Jim B. would be the best at dating that for
you. The one I have is a scientific calculator that was given as a door
prize at a math teachers' convention I attended. I do believe that they
cheated a bit to see that I got it, though! Anyway, it is quite nice.
Must have been in the very early 80's that I received it.
I also have a Commodore wrist watch. Those were being given away at
teachers' meetings in the early 80's, too. Digital, they were. Mine has
stopped, but I think it just needs a new battery.
—Betty
Commodore was doing quite a few calculators in 1976/77 .. I looked at a few,
but don't recall the one you mention. They marketed at least one unique
device: a "navigator" computer that was said to be a boon to small plane
pilots and sailing buffs. I recall, years later, an owner being devastated to
find that his broken navigator couldn't be fixed or replaced. (The Commodore
service guys didn't even know what it was .. they asked me about it).
I understand that Jack Tramiel acquired his first microchip facility (MOS
Technology, Norristown PA) mostly to secure his supply of calculator chipe. It
was a surprise when one of the employees (Chuck Peddle) came forward with his
idea for a "personal computer".
–Jim
Yeah, but what about my ancient nixie-tube huge desktop 500E?
Wonder what ever happened to Chuck Peddle. Seems to me that he didn't get
his fair share of fame and whatever out of his contribution to the
computer world.
—Betty
"Wonder what ever happened to Chuck Peddle. Seems to me that he didn't get
his fair share of fame and whatever out of his contribution to the
computer world."
Chuck Peddle. Haven't heard that name for a few years.
Chuck is reputed to have made a good number of bucks when he left Commodore
and gotten quite a few more from his involvement with Victor. He went on to a
design job at some other company after the Victor bankruptcy, but I haven't
heard of him since.
Jerry
Thanks for the report, Jerry. I didn't know Chuck personally, but I used
to hear a great deal about him, and suddenly I realized that I had not
heard him mentioned in years.
—Betty
He's quite a guy, Betty.
Jerry
I heard that Chuck Peddle was working a booth for Shugart (disk drives) at a
CES many years back. No word since then.
–Jim
I have one of the scientific calculators, but no watch.
WOW! Somebody else has one. Got mine from my Dad. Circa 1974….
//
Gary Vander Mei on Auto-Pilot \X/
I used to have a TI SR-52 but it got stolen. Was the scientific calculator
light blue with medium blue buttons? Harry
<scratching head> what's a "nixie-tube-display"? My father used to sell
commercial desk calculators in the 60s; Monroes, Merchants, and Friedens
(ever hear of any of them? <grin>)… basic 4-function, cost between 800
and 1200 US, weighed more and took more real estate than an A2000. Those
were mechanicals, used to fascinate me as a kid. I think he still has an
old STW10 downstairs somewhere….
Nixie tubes are sort of neon signs. Each spells out an individual number.
You stack 10 of them, one in front of the other, to be able to display the
value for a single decimal place. Very high resolution display. 🙂
Dale,
and the Navy is still using the bloody things!
They probably haven't been replaced in thirty years. Talk about they
don't make them the way they used to. Actually one nice thing is you can
drive your Conrad-Johnson from the same power supply …
DJ
On AP from Queens, the thrill and excitement of the Big Apple
Where a little paranoia is always a healthy attitude …
DJ,
and they keep you warm in these air-conditioned spaces! <g>
Would you consider these as sort of hardware stroked fonts? BTW, these
are great for people with eyesight problems …
DJ
On AP from Queens, the thrill and excitement of the Big Apple
Where a little paranoia is always a healthy attitude …
Yeah, I got a Commordore calcuator. Weighs about 20lbs, only does M-D-A-S
and uses tubes for display. Even has a wood grain veneer finish. Sound
familiar?
//
Gary Vander Mei on Auto-Pilot \X/
Oh, my Commodore calculator is MUCH more advanced than that, I fear. It
is small enough to be held in hand, runs on batteries, and has quite a lot
of scientific functions. The little screen is tilted, which makes it
quite readable.
—Betty
Mine doesn't have a wood grain finish.
Oh, I'm sorry, wrong model number. I have a MODEL 512. Twelve and a half
inches across, approx. three inches high and about five inches deep. With
a twelve tube display.
How does that compare?
//
Gary Vander Mei on Auto-Pilot \X/
Mine is several times as large. 🙂
>>Mine is several times as large. :-)<<
and you called it a claculator??
//
Gary Vander Mei on Auto-Pilot \X/
Your spelling is probably more accurate, but, yes.
I bought a Minuteman 3 for 50 cents at a garage sale. I thought it would go
well with my A1000 and A3000. Funny thing is that the N type batteries cost
$7.00! Harry
You got me, Harry. What does a Minuteman 3 do?
—Betty