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Beckman Electrocomp Electric Heating Computer

YEAR: 1965
ITEM: Analog Computer
COMPANY: Beckman Instruments Inc.
COUNTRY: U.S.A.
IN OUR COLLECTION: Yes

Beckman Instruments, Inc. made a number of very large analog computers starting in the early 1960's. This was one of their smallest computers. The Electrocomp, which was made in cooperation with the Electric Heating Association, Inc., is an extrememly basic portable computer. It was used to assist electric heating salesmen with heating calculations. Inside, there are only a few diodes, resistors, and capacitors. We couldn't even find a transistor, let alone an integrated circuit! The original selling price was $135.

Here's the pitch, mentioned in the manual and sales flyer:

"The Electrocomp is a portable, electronic computer designed to calculate quickly and accurately the overall heat loss of a structure in KW, and the annual operating cost in dollars. It can also be used to make individual calculations to determine room by room equipment requirements. Although accurate enough for engineering purposes, the Electrocomp is primarily a sales aid and is designed to help the salesman either to qualify a conversion prospect or to close the sale on the first call. It is made, sold, and warranted by Beckman Instruments Incorporated by arrangement with the Electric Heating Association."

We are not sure when this computer was originally manufactured. We believe it to be in the mid-1960's. If you have any information on this computer, please contact us.



Viewer Stories & Comments

   Pat     Erie,     February 06, 2024

       I have one. Makes a cool display piece. Not sure what else to do with it but i like the look of it and could use the knobs and faceplate some custom audio gear one day

   Clarissa Webb     Athens , U.S.     August 17, 2015

       I have one similar to this but has more options and buttons, I can't seem to find anything out about it online

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Documents

Documents for this item have not yet been scanned or not yet posted. There are a lot of pages...contact us if you have an immediate need. (Although there are not a lot of "immediate needs" for a 70+ year old computer!)



OUR DEFINITIONS OF RARITY

One of a Kind: Only known existing item.
Exceedingly Rare: Only 2 to 10 known to exist.
Very Rare: Only 11 to 25 are known to exist.
Rare: Only 26 to 50 are known to exist.
Difficult: Difficult to find.
Available:Can be commonly be purchased.
Unknown: We cannot make a determination.

(For comparison: Many people consider the Apple-1 computer to be rare. As of 2025 there are 92 confirmed and probable Apple-1 computers.)

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