"Unquestionably Confused" wrote in message
.. .
My Makita 7.2 volt (removable stick battery) 3/8" drill started spitting
out woodchips in early 1989 and I know I wasn't the first kid on the block
to have one.

I recall Makita 7.2 volt drills being sold by the SnapOn man at the car
dealer ship I worked at in the late 70's and 80's but it was not until IIRC
the early 90's that I recall seeing any 12 models of anything being offered.