Why did so many early / cheap calculators use 9V batteries?

[Bill (Smithville NJ)]

(03-29-2018 06:23 PM)Maximilian Hohmann Wrote:  my guess would be that it is just for small size and low weight that manufacturers chose 9V batteries. Also I remember that in the 1970ies 9V batteries used to be cheaper then the alternative of 3 to 5 AA (alkaline) cells.

9 Volt Batteries were very cheap here in the states. I can remember buying them for 9 cents for use in my transistor radios. The batteries did not last very long, but they were cheap.

Even cheaper was belonging to the Radio Shack battery of the month club. You got one free battery every month. So if the 9 volt battery powered it for a month, then your batteries were free!

Bill
Smithville, NJ