Advertisement for the early Mathatronics Mathatron 8-48 , April, 1966
This advertisement shows an original Mathatronics Mathatron 8-48
calculator. This advertisement is reproduced exactly as it was printed, with
the text to the right hand side of the advertisement "chopped off". I'm sure
that Mathatronics was not pleased with the fact that their ad was mis-printed.
It should be made clear here that the early history of the Mathatron calculators
was first started by the original Model 4-24 and 8-48 calculators.
These machines were sold either with or without additional advanced
mathematical funtions...they were optional. The base Mathatron calculator could
only add, subtract, multiply, and divide and perform square root extraction.
Upgraded machines had hard-wired (magnetic core-based Read Only Memory)
programs with added keys on the keyboard for each advanced math function.
Later, the power on/off, and the operation mode rotary
switches were replaced with pushbuttons which made the machine a little
easier to operate. Some standardized advanced math models were
introduced for specific mathematical disciplines, providing three different
upgraded models which catered to diffeing mathematical needs.
The M option provided advance mathematical functions such as logarithms
and raising numbers to powers. The S option provided statistical math
functions, and the C option provided Civil Engineering functions. Custom ROM
programs were also developed for some customers to perform various mixes
of advanced math functions, or even complete unique customer-tailored
hard-wired programs for more complex operations.
The calculator shown above is a base model Mathatron 8-48 (8 Memory
Registers, 48 Program Steps). Compare the image of this machine with the Mathatronics 8-48M Model II exhibited in the museum to see the obvious differences between the earlier and
later-design Mathatron calculators.
For those that may have difficulty making out the text of the advertisement because of the printing error by the magazine the ad was listed in, here is the full text of the ad:
This
$5000
Mathatron digital computer
uses a new
computer language...
...algebra
Tap in the problem, digit by digit, sign by sign, with decimal
points and parentheses and power of 10 exponents just as if
you were writing it out. The Mathatron prints the problem
on paper tape, then prints out the answer. As simple as that.
Four or eight independent storage registers, 24 or 48
step ferrite core memory, 100 column number capacity,
8 to 9 significant digit accuracy, automatic decimal placement,
electronic speeds, optional pre-wired programs, all solid-
state logic and circuitry. It won't solve everything, of course.
If you already have a large data processor, consider this:
80% of the Mathatron owners have big computers, too.
But, they can't stand the time lag, or the hourly cost,
or the gaff. The Mathatron is twice the size of a typewriter
and is accessible, immediately, to the whole department.
Write for further information.
