Sharp ELSI MATE EL 8146 Calculator

[catgate]

I think I have a little miracle on my desk.

I have this Sharp pocket calculator on my desk (not in my pocket) and it has been there for at least 32 years (not the same desk nor the same location). This in itself is a pretty remarkable testement to a piece of good quality manufacturing.

What is more extrordinary, however, is that it is still running on the same batteries as it came with. They are of Japanese manufacture with the name EVER on them. Knowing that Sharp started out before the '39/45 war as a maker of the Eversharp pencil I suspect they must have been produced in the same factory as the calculator.

It is in use almost every day, Granted it is not for long, but it is often quicker to pick it up to check something rather than activating the computer calculator.

I remember using it in my office in the old lab. block at the factory prior to having a new lab. built in '76. So just when it originally saw the light of day I am not certain, but it was at least 32 years ago.

There were some calculators that had built in photo cells for charging purposes but this is no one of them. Even if it were, for a small battery to go on charging for 33+ years would be quite remarkable in itself.

[Mirko]

I think I have a little miracle on my desk.

I have this Sharp pocket calculator on my desk (not in my pocket) and it has been there for at least 32 years (not the same desk nor the same location). This in itself is a pretty remarkable testement to a piece of good quality manufacturing.

What is more extrordinary, however, is that it is still running on the same batteries as it came with. They are of Japanese manufacture with the name EVER on them. Knowing that Sharp started out before the '39/45 war as a maker of the Eversharp pencil I suspect they must have been produced in the same factory as the calculator.

It is in use almost every day, Granted it is not for long, but it is often quicker to pick it up to check something rather than activating the computer calculator.

I remember using it in my office in the old lab. block at the factory prior to having a new lab. built in '76. So just when it originally saw the light of day I am not certain, but it was at least 32 years ago.

There were some calculators that had built in photo cells for charging purposes but this is no one of them. Even if it were, for a small battery to go on charging for 33+ years would be quite remarkable in itself.

I have the same calculator, same age. Batteries are still working! Amasing.

[Gandalph]

I have a Tandy LCD Scientific EC-916 that I bought in the early 70's. It doesn't get much use these days but when I was in engineering it was hardly out of my hand. Like yours it is still running on the original batteries. I can't see any solar energy cell on it. So like yours catgate it is pretty amazing when you think about it.

They don't make em like they used to these days. :)

[-pops-]

My first electronic calculator I assembled myself from a kit. It was a Sinclair Scientific which I've just found out cost me £5-40 + 50p P&P
/>http://www.vintage-technology.info/pages/calculators/adverts/sincsciadv.htm

The thing I remember about it particularly was its appetite for batteries.

I donated it to a collection a few years ago.

[AlanHo]

I have a Japanese abacus (they call it a soroban) from the 1930's. Despite its age it is still in excellent working order.

I am not able to read the instruction leaflet though................

[Belatucadrus]

Ah the Sinclair Scientific with its unique selling feature Reverse Polish logic, plus the ability to pause and think for several seconds if you asked it anything difficult.

My first calculator was a Sharp EL8100 takes 4 X AAs and it ate them by the kilo, still works fine though, so much for built in obsolescence.