【Oki Electric Industry】 Lettermate800

In February 1982, Oki Electric Industry announced the Lettermate800 -- a Japanese language word processor with CRT display -- as a high-end model of the Lettermate80. This machine was equipped with ordinary word processor capabilities, as well as graph capability, operation capability and communication capability. These made it possible to create documents containing illustrations and tables using ruled lines. E-mail could also be sent and received using the communication function.

The main features of this machine were as follows:

1. It could display and print illustrations (graphs), and this expanded the scope of application of the word processor.
2. Documents could be displayed with vertical writing, so it was easy to create things like written orders, organization charts and registry documents.
3. It had a function for subscripts and superscripts needed in documents like scientific papers, and thus could be used outside of the general business field.
4. It had calculation capability, and enabled efficient creation of documents such as estimates, balance sheets and statistical tables.
5. It allowed layout display, thus enabling the user to confirm the overall appearance of the document printing format prior to printing.
6. It enabled communication between Japanese language word processors, so it was possible to quickly issue the same formal document at branch offices and other offices located at remote locations.
7. An optional auto cut sheet feeder could be used to raise the use efficiency of the word processor.
8. The positional relationship between the keyboard and display was designed with the emphasis on ergonomics. Fatigue was significantly reduced by minimizing line-of-sight movement and the neck swing angle.
9. The main console was the desk type, to fit easily into any office. It was the space-saving type, suitable for configuring an OA-oriented office space. When not in use, the keyboard (input section) could be housed in the main console, thus turning the console into an office desk.