Hand-held Calculators

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Aristo M64
&
Aristo M66S

Like Faber-Castell, Aristo was a company famed for its slide-rules.  With the appearance of hand-held electronic calculators in the early 1970s, especially the Hewlett-Packard HP-35 with scientific functions, sales of slide-rules dropped dramatically, so Aristo started to manufacture electronic calculators themselves.  It produced a series of calculators, many similarly smartly styled with slim casings.  However, the company closed down in 1979, after the prices of electronic calculators had plummeted.

Here are two typical models of Aristo electronic calculators.

Aristo M64

Aristo M64
Aristo M64 inside

Aristo M64

Distinctive features: One of the, distinctively styled, slim, hand-held electronic calculators manufactured in Germany by Aristo; a company famous for its slide-rules.

Technical details:
8-digits, red LED display.

Four-functions, square root.

3x AA cells.

Main integrated circuit: Mostek MK5020A, here date coded early 1973 (though other ICs are date coded to late 1973).

62 x 150 x 18 mm. (2.4" x 5.9" x 0.7").

Made in Germany.

Supplied with a clear plastic snap-on cover.

Aristo M66S

Aristo M66S
Aristo M66S inside

Aristo M66S

A later, higher specification, calculator with a similar styling manufactured by Aristo in about 1977.

Technical details:
8-digits, green VFD (Vacuum-Fluorescent Display) display.

Semi-scientific functions, memory.

3x AA cells.

Main integrated circuit: Rockwell A5553CA, here date coded mid 1977.

76 x 151 x 18 mm. (3.0" x 5.9" x 0.7").

Made in Germany.

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Text & photographs copyright, except where stated otherwise, © Nigel Tout 2000-2024.