This is a very rare Sanyo ICC-808D calculator. As you can see it utilizes nixie tubes (gas discharge tubes) for the display. It uses algebraic logic, has 4 functions and 18 keys. It was made in 1972 and has a level of popularity based not upon its calculating abilities nor its retro design.  No, it has a large following because of its use in the movie Ghostbusters. In early shootings of the movie the characters had what they is called a “belt gizmo” which just happened to be made from Sanyo ICC-808D circuit boards.  Basically it looks like they took the top and bottom covers off and used what remained for the gizmo that hung from their belts.

So, given the fact the two groups of collectors show interest in the calculator, its price is correspondingly high and its supply low.  The Sanyo ICC-808D’s are pretty hard to find and usually sell for around $500+ when they become available.  There are also people that recreate the circuit boards for those that wish to create an authentic ghostbusters costume.

It is a neat looking calculator and definitely belongs in any calculator collection but you may find it difficult to get your hands on one. Even the non-functioning units are highly priced due to the fact that the Ghostbusters fans don’t really care whether the calculator works or not.

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