Compucorp 326
Scientist Calculator

General description

The Compucorp 326 is a vintage calculator from the early 1970s, renowned for its advanced capabilities and innovative design. Manufactured by Computer Design Corporation, later known as Compucorp, this model became a symbol of cutting-edge technology during its time.

The Compucorp 326 is the highest model in the Compucorp 300 series, offering the most advanced features among its counterparts. It played a significant role in the evolution of portable computing, demonstrating that complex calculations could be performed by compact devices. Its use in educational and research institutions in Poland highlights its impact on the global scientific community during the pre-computer era.

Features and Specifications:

  • Year of Production: 1972
  • Display: Panaplex gas discharge display, 10 digits. The Panaplex display was known for its bright, orange glow, making it easily readable in various lighting conditions.
  • Functions: The Compucorp 326 was a versatile machine, offering advanced mathematical functions such as trigonometry, logarithms, and statistical operations. It was primarily designed for use in offices, financial institutions, and educational settings.
  • Memory: The calculator featured memory storage, allowing users to save results for further calculations.
  • Keyboard: It came with a large, mechanical keyboard that provided a comfortable and precise input experience.
  • Design: The calculator’s robust plastic casing and retro aesthetic were characteristic of the era, making it not only functional but also stylish.

The Compucorp 326 was often paired with the Tape Recorder 392, which formed a complete computational set. This device allowed users to store and retrieve data on magnetic tape, effectively expanding the calculator’s memory capacity and making it easier to handle large datasets. The combination of the Compucorp 326 with the Tape Recorder 392 was particularly useful in scientific research environments, where extensive data processing and storage were required.

The Compucorp 326 was utilized in various scientific institutions in Poland, where its advanced computational capabilities made it an invaluable tool for researchers and academics. Its reliability and wide range of functions helped facilitate complex calculations in scientific research and higher education.

Today, the Compucorp 326 is relatively rare and highly valued among collectors, representing a pivotal moment in the history of electronic computing.

Internal structure

The Compucorp 326 was not only impressive on the outside but also featured advanced internal components that were cutting-edge for its time.

The Compucorp 326 was not only impressive on the outside but also featured advanced internal components that were cutting-edge for its time.

Internal Architecture:

  • Processor : At the heart of the Compucorp 326 was a custom-designed microprocessor that handled complex mathematical operations. Unlike many calculators of its time, which relied on simpler arithmetic logic units (ALUs), the 326’s processor was capable of performing a broader range of functions, making it suitable for scientific and engineering tasks.
  • Memory: The internal memory of the Compucorp 326 was designed to store multiple numbers and intermediate results, which was essential for executing longer, more complicated calculations. This memory was based on early forms of static RAM, which retained data as long as the calculator was powered on.
  • Circuit Boards: The Compucorp 326 featured multiple circuit boards densely packed with integrated circuits (ICs), transistors, and other electronic components. These boards were responsible for the calculator’s logic processing, display control, and input/output operations. The complex layout of these boards reflected the sophisticated capabilities of the machine.
  • Power Supply: The calculator was powered by an internal power supply that converted standard DC electricity into the required voltages to run the electronic components. The power supply was robust, ensuring stable operation over extended periods, which was crucial for its use in professional and scientific environments.
  • Display Driver: The Panaplex display required specific driving circuitry to illuminate the gas-filled segments correctly. The calculator contained specialized display drivers that managed the brightness and multiplexing of the digits on the screen, ensuring that the output was clear and accurate.

Innovation and Impact:

The internal architecture of the Compucorp 326 was a marvel of early 1970s engineering, showcasing how advanced technology could be miniaturized and integrated into a desktop device. Its sophisticated internals allowed it to perform a wide range of mathematical functions, far beyond the capabilities of most contemporary calculators. This made the Compucorp 326 not only a tool of choice for professionals but also a significant step forward in the development of electronic computing devices.

The basic modules of the Compucorp 326 calculator are:

Enter Module
Control Board
Memory Board
Power Board