British Calculators

Home > British Calculators

TEALTRONIC

Tealtronic Calculators Ltd., 811 High Road, London N12 was a company associated with AML Distributors Ltd.[1], of Palmers Green, London.

In an article on the American involvement in the British calculator industry, "The Times" reported[2]:
    "Tealtronic Calculators has designed calculators (including a microcircuit which is made in San Jose, California, by Standard Microsystems) in the United Kingdom for assembly in the Far East.  A single-chip printer/memory calculator is claimed to be unique, and British manufacture of one model is reported by the company".

There may have been a connection with the Japanese TEAL company, but there is no information available about this.  If you have any information we would be very pleased if you would get in touch.

Here are a few examples of TEALTRONIC models:

TEALTRONIC LE-8

Tealtronic LE-8

TEALTRONIC LE-8.

Display is 8 digits, red LED.

Four function.

Power supply: 9v (6x AA cells).

Integrated circuit: Texas Instruments TMS0105.

70 x 142 x 30 mm (2.75 x 5.6 x 1.2").

This is identical to the TEAL LE-8, shown below, which suggests a link between TEALTRONIC and TEAL.

TEAL LE-8.

This is identical to the TEALTRONIC LE-8, shown above.  This suggests that there was a link between TEAL and TEALTRONIC.

Teal LE-8 President.

TEALTRONIC 4519

Tealtronic 4519

TEALTRONIC 4519

Display is 8 digits, blue vacuum-fluorescent display.

Four function, %, memory, square root.

Power supply: 6v (4x AA cells).

155 x 73 x 37 mm (6.1 x 2.9 x 1.5").

Made in Japan.

TEALTRONIC K-80M (Type 1)

Tealtronic K-80M type 1

TEALTRONIC K-80M (Type 1)

Display is 8 digits, blue Vacuum Fluorescent Display tubes.

Four function.

Power supply: 6v (4x C cells).

121 x 218 x 38 mm (4.75 x 8.6 x 1.5").

TEALTRONIC K-80M (Type 2)

Tealtronic K-80M type 2

TEALTRONIC K-80M (Type 2)

Display is 8 digits, blue Vacuum Fluorescent Display tubes.

Four function.

Power supply: 6v (4x C cells).

Integrated circuit: Texas Instruments TMS0105NC (here date coded to week 13 of 1973).

132 x 256 x 38 mm (5.2 x 10.1 x 1.5").

Compared to the type 1, above, this has the same keys but has a much more stylish, and slightly larger, casing.

Tealtronic K-80M type 2
Tealtronic K-80M type 2 inside

This calculator is quite a hand-full.

With the cover removed, showing the display tubes and the Texas Instruments TMS0105NC integrated circuit.

TEALTRONIC SM-8

Texet 800M

TEALTRONIC SM-8

Display is 8 digits, green vacuum-fluorescent in a single tube.

Four function, %, memory.

Integrated circuit: Rockwell 15330PC, here date coded mid-1973.

Power supply: 6v (4x AA rechargeable cells).

155 x 71 x 33 mm (6.1 x 2.8 x 1.3").

Tealtronic SM8 inside

With the casing opened revealing the tubular vacuum-fluorecent display (VFD) and the rechargeable cells.

References:

  1. Milton, R., Beaumont, A.J. (1974), Electronic Calculator Markets and Suppliers, 2nd. ed., Finresearch Series, London: Ovum, 42.
  2. Owen, Kenneth, "American link expands range and techniques", The Times, 15 February, 1974.

Vintage Calculators

© Text & photographs copyright Nigel Tout   2000-2019  except where noted otherwise.