Texas Instruments TI-2510 Handheld Electronic Calculator
date: label: date made
content: 1973-1974
name: label: maker
content: Texas Instruments
notes: label: Description
content: In 1972, Texas Instruments began selling electronic calculators under its own name. The first of these was the Datamath or TI-2500. Over the next few years, TI sold modifications of the TI-2500 that had different forms of battery (such as the TI-2500B, the TI-2500II, and the TI-2510), a different color case (the TI-2510), a key for taking percentages (the TI-2550 and the TI-2550II), and keys for additional functions (the TI-2550II and the TI-2550III). This is an example of the TI-2510.
label: Description
content: The handheld calculator has a light tan or ivory-colored plastic case with a black plastic keyboard. It has an array of eighteen keys, sixteen of them square and two rectangular. These include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a total key, four arithmetic function keys, a clear entry key, and a clear key. A switch at the right in the top row of keys may be set at “CHAIN” or “CONST.” A mark above this switch reads: TI-2510. Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit LED display.
label: Description
content: A jack for a power adapter is along the back edge. An on/off switch is on the left side.
label: Description
content: The back of the calculator has a compartment for storing four AA alkaline or carbon-zinc batteries. Such a compartment was not found in the TI-2500.
label: Description
content: A sticker on the compartment cover reads: TI-2510 electronic calculator (/) Made by Texas Instruments Incorporated, Dallas, Texas. It also reads in part: Serial number (/) 2510 047053. The sticker indicates that the calculator has four disposable AA batteries. It also says that AC Adapter AC9120 might be used for a power supply, with or without batteries installed.
label: Description
content: Unscrewing three long screws on the back of the case does not reveal the chips. Two green wires extend from the inside of the calculator around the outside.
label: Description
content: The Datamath Museum says this model was introduced in 1973. Ball & Flamm give a 1974 price of $39.95. Newspaper prices range from $59.95 down to $39.99. Compare 1986.0988.188, 1986.0988.189, 1986.0988.190, 1986.0988.342, and 1986.0988.359.
label: Description
content: References:
label: Description
content: Guy Ball and Bruce Flamm, <I>The Complete Collector’s Guide to Pocket Calculators</I>, Tustin, CA: Wilson/Barnett, 1997, p. 157.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>New York Times</I>, October 28, 1973, p. 245. Sale price for TI-2510 given as $56.50.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Atlanta Constitution</I>, November 18, 1973, p. 27C. New product, the TI-2510 calculator, selling for $59.95.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Hartford Courant</I>, December 19, 1973, p. 24. TI-2510 calculator advertised as “budget calculator gift” selling for $59.95 (not including batteries). TI-2500 available, with adapter/charger, for $69.95.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Los Angeles Times</I>, October 20, 1974, p. 11. TI-2510 on sale for $39.99.
label: Description
content: Online Datamath Museum, accessed May 13, 2015.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
setName: label: See more items in
content: Medicine and Science: Computers
label: See more items in
content: Computers & Business Machines
label: See more items in
content: Handheld 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: 1986.0988.343
label: catalog number
content: 1986.0988.343
label: accession number
content: 1986.0988
objectType: label: Object Name
content: electronic calculator
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: plastic (case; keys material)
label: Physical Description
content: metal (circuitry; jack material)
label: Physical Description
content: paper (stickers material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 1 3/4 in x 2 3/4 in x 5 1/2 in; 4.445 cm x 6.985 cm x 13.97 cm