TI-5050M Desktop Electronic Calculator
date: label: date made
content: 1978
name: label: maker
content: Texas Instruments
notes: label: Description
content: This compact, light desktop printing electronic calculator has an array of nine light gray digit keys at the center, with a zero bar and decimal point key below this. On the left are clear, percentage, division, multiplication, and equals keys. On the right are total, #/S, subtraction, and addition keys. Above the digit keys are memory, F/A, and arrow keys. Behind the keys is a paper tape to print entries and results on special thermosensitive paper. This is the only display of entries and results.
label: Description
content: A mark behind the printer reads: TI-5050M. A mark at the front reads: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS. A mark on the bottom reads: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS (/) electronic calculator (/) MODEL TI-5050M (/) SERIAL NO. (/) 9418428 MTA5078 (/) ASSEMBLED IN USA. Below this is a list of patent numbers that range from 3,819,921 to 4,014,013. The dates of these patents range from 1974 to 1977.
label: Description
content: Ball and Flamm indicate that the TI-5050M was available in 1976. In 1977 the calculator reportedly sold for $149.95. In 1980, it was advertised as costing $79.95. The second part of the serial number suggests a 1978 date.
label: Description
content: Compare 1987.0487.026.
label: Description
content: References:
label: Description
content: Guy Ball and Bruce Flamm, <I>The Complete Collector’s Guide to Pocket Calculators</I>, Tustin, Calif.: Wilson/Barnett Publishing, 1997, p. 158.
label: Description
content: Hyla Clark and Larry Barandes, “Desktop Calculators That Print Their Results,” <I>Popular Mechanics</I>, vol. 147 #4, April, 1977, pp. 187–189.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Los Angeles Times</I>, January 12, 1980, p. D4.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: place made
content: United States
topic: label: Subject
content: Business
setName: label: See more items in
content: Medicine and Science: Computers
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content: Computers & Business Machines
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content: Desktop Electronic Calculators
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Gift of John B. Priser
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: 1986.0988.075
label: catalog number
content: 1986.0988.075
label: accession number
content: 1986.0988
objectType: label: Object Name
content: electronic calculator
label: Other Terms
content: electronic calculator; Desktop
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: plastic (case; keys material)
label: Physical Description
content: metal (screws material)
label: Physical Description
content: paper (tape material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 2 13/16 in x 3 1/2 in x 8 1/2 in; 7.112 cm x 8.89 cm x 21.59 cm