A Billion Boobies Later

[Mulboyne]

[floatl][/floatl]Metro: 'Boobless' calculator craze is back
"Bellies, sizzles and boobless" - just three reasons why a 1970s calculator craze is coming back. And to celebrate Casio's billionth calculator leaving the production line, the firm released a list of the favourite words that can be written on the display and read when turned upside down...The milestone also coincides with the 50th anniversary of the world's first all-electric calculator - the Casio 14-A...Casio president Kazuo Kashio said: "The fact that we have been able to sell one billion calculators is a sign of the confidence consumers around the world place in Casio products, and I would like to express my sincere appreciation for this support...more...

Casio's Top 10 favourite calculator words:
1. Boobies (5318008 )
2. Bellies (5317738 )
3. Boobless (55378008 )
4. Bogies (531608 )
5. Sizzles (5372215)
6. Gobbles (5378806)
7. Google (376006)
8. Boogie (316008 )
9. Shell Oil (71077345)
10. Esso (0553)

The Asahi reports that Casio's first calculator in 1965 weighed 17kg and cost 380,000 yen. The first personal use calculator was released in 1972 with a price tag of 12,800 yen.

[Charles]

The first personal use calculator was released in 1972 with a price tag of 12,800 yen.

Incorrect.

Electronic desk calculators first appeared in England and the US in 1963, a model from Sony appeared in 1964. Handheld calculators were first released in 1970 by Sharp and Canon.

[Mulboyne]

Incorrect.

Electronic desk calculators first appeared in England and the US in 1963, a model from Sony appeared in 1964. Handheld calculators were first released in 1970 by Sharp and Canon.

Sorry, I should have been more specific that the Asahi was referring only to Casio's own history. Thanks for the link.

[Charles]

Sorry, I should have been more specific that the Asahi was referring only to Casio's own history. Thanks for the link.

I was wondering if that was the case, it isn't uncommon for a manufacturer to trumpet its own history while omitting the other companies that beat it to market.
Anyway, sorry to be pedantic but I am a bit of a calculator geek. I still have fond memories from the late 1960s of using an HP-9100 calculator with a CRT display.

[GomiGirl]

Anyway, sorry to be pedantic but I am a bit of a calculator geek. I still have fond memories from the late 1960s of using an HP-9100 calculator with a CRT display.

That explains so much!!!

[Charles]

That explains so much!!!

Just be glad I didn't get into the Olivetti Programma. I think that machine got me hooked on computers.

[DrP]

This is still my favorite -- 1961 ANITA. Keeps your fingers toasty as you type, too!

[Charles]

...my favorite..

You don't get to call it that unless you actually used it. I had hands-on experience with the Olivetti. Ooh those sexy curves, I just wanted to fondle it.

But for hardcore mechanical computing, nothing could beat my Dad's old 1950s NCR bookkeeping machine.