Old Calculators - Early Computer Wannabes?

Here's an old electronic calculator which uses a CRT in place of the more expemsive Nixie tubes. LED's hadn't been invented yet.

This particular unit uses a magnetic deflection CRT, just like in a TV set. I had two other ones which used an electrostatic CRT, as in an oscilloscope.

Underneath the calculator is an old radio. As best as I can recall, it's an Atwater Kent. To the right is an old power supply.

When I first saw these things in the comic book ads, I thought they were a joke, but they are surprisingly good at simple addition and subtraction. Bear in mind that electronic calculators didn't come along until 20 years later.

It is possible to multiply and divide, but it's easier with a pencil.

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