+Home     Museum     Wanted     Advertising     Articles     EMail  

Busicom 162C Desktop Calculator


Busicom (Business Computer Corp.) 162C
Image Courtesy Peter Broughton of Broughton's of Bristol (UK Busicom Distributor in the 1960's)

The Busicom 162C was a follow-on to the original Busicom 162. The 162C added one-key automatic square root to the functions of the 162. NCR marketed this machine in the USA as the NCR 18-3. Along with the square root function, the machine provides two independent accumulating memory registers, fixed decimal point for addition/subtraction with floating decimal for results of multiplication and division, 16 digit capacity, a 'backspace' feature for error correction, true credit balance, and selective round-off features. The machine utilizes small-scale DTL integrated circuit logic, with a 512-bit magnetic core memory array for working register storage. See the Old Calculator Web Museum exhibit on the NCR 18-2 for information on a similar calculator that was sold by NCR as an OEM customer of Busicom.
NCM/Busicom 162C Specifications

Manufacturer: Nippon Calculating Machine Co., Ltd.
Model Number: 162C
Manufactured In: Japan
Date of Introduction: August, 1968
Display Technology: Nixie Tube, 16 Digits
Logic Technology: Small-Scale IC logic (DTL) mixed with discrete diode/transistor circuitry
512-bit Magnetic Core Memory array for working register storage
Digits of Capacity: 16
Decimal Modes: Thumbwheel-selectable fixed for addition/subtraction, floating for multiplication,
division and square root.
Math Functions: Four Function plus Square Root
Memories: Two accumulator-style memory registers w/automatic summation mode
Performance: Addition/Subtraction: 20ms; Multiplication/Division/Square Root: 430ms max. (Mfg. Claims)
Size: 13 1/8" wide, 13 1/8" deep, 5 5/8" high
Weight: 15.4 pounds
Copyright 1997-2008, Rick Bensene.