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Sharp EL-8130 super thinman

Date of introduction:  June, 1977 Display technology:  LCD
New price:  ¥8.500 Display size:  8
Size:  4.9" x 2.7" x 0.2"    
Weight:  2.3 ounces Serial No:  77022959
Batteries:  2*SR1130 Date of manufacture:  year 1979
AC-Adapter:   Origin of manufacture:  Japan
Precision:  8 Integrated circuits:  
Memories:      
Program steps:   Courtesy of:  Gerhard Wenzel

Sharp introduced in the year 1977 with the EL-8036 and this EL-8130 the world’s first touch key calculator using a membrane keypad. 

Another Sharp breakthrough was the development of the membrane, or flat, keypad, which allowed the calculator to shrink even further to only 0.2" in thickness (the EL-8130 was called the "super thinman"). Since the keys lack any tactile response when pushed, these units had a special key which activated a beep that sounded upon each key press. This "sensor touch" key,used in many later Sharp calculators, had a musical note symbol on the key.

Another two year later thickness was reduced to unbelievable 1.6mm (0.35"). Don't miss the EL-8152.

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

© Joerg Woerner, December 25, 2001. No reprints without written permission.