Hand-held Calculators

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Atlas-Rand, Berkey, & Keystone calculators

A series of similar distinctive calculators was sold under the Atlas-Rand, Berkey, and Keystone names. These solidly built models are unusual in using the Burroughs Panaplex II amber gas-discharge display, normally only found in desktop calculators.

Featured here are some of the models:

Berkey/Omega 100

Berkey/Omega 100

Keystone 88

Keystone 88
Note the slight fault in the display causing the top left segment of each character to light.

Addmaster PP8

Addmaster PP8
This example is faulty.

Atlas-Rand 240

Atlas-Rand 240

Berkey Keystone 350

Berkey Keystone 350

Berkey/Omega 100
Keystone 88
Addmaster PP8
Atlas-Rand 240
Berkey Keystone 350

Distinctive features: A series of similar distinctive, solidly built, calculators  the Burroughs Panaplex II amber gas-discharge display.

Technical details:
Display is 8 digits, amber Burroughs 'Panaplex' gas-discharge.

4-function %. Note that the Atlas-Rand 240 and Berkey Keystone 350 have a 'Constant' switch.
The 'Decimal' switch has two positions: 'Normal' gives a floating decimal point, and '$' gives a fixed decimal point with two places of decimals suitable for money calculations.

Main integrated circuit - by Rockwell.

6v (4x AA batteries).

78 x 133 x 44 mm. (5.7" x 8.5" x 2.75").

About 1972.

Made in U.S.A.

All of these calculators have identical labels on the back, marked "Keystone, Paramus, New Jersey".

The Keystone Company was founded in 1919 as a toy manufacturer.  By the mid-30s it had started manufacturing cameras, and by 1945 was producing a range of movie cameras and projectors and was phasing out of the toy business.  The company continued to be very innovative in photographic equipment and in other consumer goods.
In 1965 Keystone was purchased by Berkey Photo Inc., which owned the Omega trade mark.
Addmaster Corporation marketed a range of calculator, from 'Addiator' types and mechanical adding machines to desktop electronic calculators.  We have no information about the name Atlas-Rand.

In November 1973 the journal 'Electronic Design' reported[1]:
"Berkey Photo Inc., Keystone Div. has reduced prices on its electronic pocket calculators.  The model 350 has been reduced to $94.95 from $119.95; model 370 reduced to $99.95 from $139.95 and Model 390 reduced to $119.50 from $159.95."

Inside Keystone 88

Inside the Keystone 88, showing the Panaplex display and the large number of discrete components.

Inside Berkey Keystone 370

Inside the Berkey Keystone 350.  The circuit board is similar to that of the Keystone 88, with the large black Rockwell integrated circuit (here date coded to late 1972).

The use of a Burroughs Panaplex gas-discharge display in a hand-held calculator was not common.  The digits are much larger than contempory LED (Light-Emitting Diode) displays and much more easily readable, as can be seen in the photographs.
However, unlike the LED, this display requires a high voltage to be generated for operation, and there is a warning on the back about the high voltages inside.

 

Reference:

  1. "Price reductions", Electronic Design, November 8, 1973, p195.

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