DATAMATH

DATAMATH CALCULATOR MUSEUM

Novus 835 by National Semiconductor

Date of introduction:	1976	Display technology:	LED-stick
New price:		Display size:	8
Size:	5.4" x 2.7" x 0.9"
Weight:	4.1 ounces	Serial No:
Batteries:	9V	Date of manufacture:	wk 20 year 1976
AC-Adapter:		Origin of manufacture:	USA
Precision:	8	Integrated circuits:
Memories:	1
Program steps:		Courtesy of:	Joerg Woerner

Any idea why you discovered this non-TI calculator within the Datamath Calculator Museum? This Novus 835 manufactured mid of 1976 demonstrates the difficulties of the calculator business in the 1970's. Like some other basic calculators from National Semiconductor, e.g. the Novus 750, uses this Novus 835 chip-on-board (COB) technology. Instead of the traditional approach with a plastic-encapsulated Integrated Circuit (IC) soldered on the printed circuit board (PCB), achieves COB-technology direct wire bonding of the IC to the PCB.

At first glance allows the COB-technology lower manufacturing costs, but needs higher investment and cleaner work spaces. On the other hand represents the calculator chip only one fraction of the manufacturing costs. The final assembly of the calculator was shifted from the United States to Hong Kong to lower its overall costs.

But in Hong Kong the COB wasn't available. Finally the calculator was redesigned, read more about the National Semiconductor 835A.

If you have additions to the above article please email: joerg@datamath.org.