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Busicom 162 Desktop Calculator


Busicom (Business Computer Corp.) 162
Image Courtesy Peter Broughton of Broughton's of Bristol (UK Busicom Distributor in the 1960's)

The Busicom 162 is Nippon Calculating Machine Company's first IC-based electronic calculator. Earlier Busicom-branded machines were based on discrete transistor technology. Interestingly, though designed and manufactured in Japan, the machine uses small-scale DTL Integrated Circuits manufactured by American semiconductor manufacturer Signetics. Through an OEM agreement with Natioanl Cash Register in the US, NCR marketed this machine as the NCR 18-3. Along an automatic square root function, the machine provides two independent accumulating memory registers, fixed decimal point for addition/subtraction with floating decimal for results of multiplication and division, 16 digit capacity, a backspace feature for error correction, true credit balance, and selective round-off features. The machine utilizes small-scale DTL integrated circuit logic, with a 256-bit magnetic core memory array for working register storage. See the Old Calculator Web Museum exhibit on the NCR 18-2 for information on a similar calculator that was sold by NCR as an OEM customer of Busicom.
NCM/Busicom 162 Specifications

Manufacturer: Nippon Calculating Machine Co., Ltd.
Model Number: 162
Manufactured In: Japan
Date of Introduction: August, 1968
Display Technology: Nixie Tube, 16 Digits
Logic Technology: Small-Scale IC logic (DTL) mixed with discrete diode/transistor circuitry
256-bit Magnetic Core Memory array for working register storage
Digits of Capacity: 16
Decimal Modes: Thumbwheel-selectable fixed for addition/subtraction, floating for multiplication,
division and square root.
Math Functions: Four Function plus Square Root
Memories: Two accumulator-style memory registers w/automatic summation mode
Performance: Addition/Subtraction: 20ms; Multiplication/Division/Square Root: 430ms max. (Mfg. Claims)
Size: 13 1/8" wide, 13 1/8" deep, 5 5/8" high
Weight: 15.4 pounds
Copyright ©1997-2021, Rick Bensene.