Privileg 6/12
Brief History
Nippon Calculating Machine (NCM), which made its calculators under the name Busicom, in cooperation with semiconductor manufacturer MOSTEK developed the world's first pocket-sized calculator (Handy LE-120A) using a single-chip calculator circuit (calculator-on-a-chip). In addition to the far-cheap twelve-digit machine released in January 1971, a gold-plated version (Handy Gold LE-120GB) was made for four times the price, and the development of a somewhat simplified version (60-DA) was started, in which domestic VFD tubes were used in the six-digit display, but the machine has 12-digit precision, cost only 12,800 yen, a fraction of the original model's 89,800 yen price. Compared to competing machines, it can round results to 0, 2, 3 or 4 decimal places, was able to perform operations with negative numbers, and also had a clear entry (CE) function, which was unusual in similar machines for that price.
We found several models of NCM in the West German catalog store, Quelle, under the brand Privileg: the 6/12 was the same as the Busicom 60-DA. The later, smaller version with LED display (60-DB) was also marketed with the same model designation.
You can read more about this and competing six-digit models in our special article.
| Manufacturer: | Quelle International (West-Germany) |
| OEM: | Nippon Calculating Machine Corporation (Japan) |
| OEM model: | 60-DA |
| Mfg. date: | 1972-73 |
| Size: | 10,4×17,5×4,9 cm |
| Weight (ready for operate): | n.a. |
| Type: | four-function |
| Capacity: | 12 digits (input) 2×6 digits (display) 12 digits (internal precision) |
| Operating logic: | arithmetic |
| CPU: | MOSTEK MK6010L |
| Registers: | 2 standard (with saving the pending operation) |
| Features: | Fixfixed-point notation: the listed decimals can be chosen (0, 2, 3, 4) |
| Display: | 6+1 digit VFD (6×Futaba DG9R) |
| Power: | 4×AA battery or adaptor |
Privileg 6/12
Inside of the 6/12
Keyboard of the 6/12