Soviet Calculator Teardown Reveals Similarities And Differences
1 min read
Summary
The Elektronika MK-26 calculator was built in the former Soviet Union and has contrasting features inside and out, with Cyrillic symbols on the button pad and old-school brown PCBs without the usual green solder mask.
Its display is powered by a voracious VFD, and it rattles when shaken, which does not inspire confidence.
While many features are typical of calculators from the mid-1970s, there are startling differences in graphics and visual design.
Soviet hardware teardowns provide an insight into unique engineering techniques, which can be attributed to varying conditions, technologies and parts availability around the world.
Similar techniques are generally more economical and easier, but regional variations persist.
The video accompanies a previous video investigating a real Soviet Soyuz clock.
