DATAMATH CALCULATOR MUSEUM
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DATAMATH CALCULATOR MUSEUM |
Texas Instruments WIZ-A-TRON
| Date of introduction: | 1977 | Display technology: | LED-stick |
| New price: | Display size: | 8 | |
| Size: | 5.0"
x 3.5" x 1.1" 127 x 89 x 29 mm3 |
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| Weight: | 3.5 ounces, 99 grams | Serial No: | |
| Batteries: | 9V | Date of manufacture: | wk 48 year 1977 |
| AC-Adapter: | Origin of manufacture: | USA (MTA) | |
| Precision: | Integrated circuits: | TMC0907/ZA0379 | |
| Memories: | |||
| Program steps: | Courtesy of: | Joerg Woerner | |
| Download manual: | 
(US: 1.2M Bytes) |
The
WIZ-A-TRON was introduced soon after the rare MATH MAGIC.
The only difference is the design of the keyboard plate, from the technology
both toys are identical. The WIZ-A-TRON might have been exclusively manufactured
for retailer Sears.
The beautiful WIZ-A-TRON is a variation of the Little Professor. The Little Professor gives you one of ten-thousands pre-programmed math questions and you have to type the correct answer. The WIZ-A-TRON works different: You have to type the question and the answer ! The wizard gives you only a correct or wrong answer.
Dismantling
the WIZ-A-TRON reveals an internal construction already known from the Little
Professor. The only differences are a missing sliding switch and another
software programmed into the TMC0907 single-chip calculator circuit.
Similar educational products are known from National
Semiconductor with the Quiz-Kid and Radio Shack with the wonderful
Monkey See.
Both use simple green and red indicators to state correct and wrong.
Don't miss the similar Mickey Math Adventure
introduced in 1993 and the rare
Battlestar Galactica - an almost perfect copy of the WIZ-A-TRON.
If you have additions to the above article please email: joerg@datamath.org.
© Joerg Woerner, December 5, 2001. No reprints without written permission.