Texas Instruments SR-56 Handheld Electronic Calculator
date: label: date made
content: 1977
name: label: maker
content: Texas Instruments
notes: label: Description
content: This scientific calculator is a modification of the Texas Instruments SR-50A and a less expensive device than the contemporary SR-52. A handheld electronic calculator, it has a black plastic case with an array of forty small rectangular plastic keys. In addition to ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a change sign key, a total key, four arithmetic function keys, a clear entry key, and clear key, the calculator has twenty-one further keys. Many keys (including some of the number keys) take on a second function if the "2nd" key is pushed. This second function is indicated on the keyboard above the key. Texas Instruments advertised this as a programmable calculator.
label: Description
content: Text above the keys reads: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SR-56. Behind the keyboard is a switch that may be set at R (radians) or D (degrees). Next to it is an on/off switch. Behind the keyboard is an LED display that shows ten-digit positive and negative numbers and two-digit positive and negative exponents.
label: Description
content: The calculator has a jack for a recharger/adapter along the back edge. A sticker on the back gives instructions. It reads in part: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS (/) SR-56. It also gives the serial number SR-56 2400279. It also reads: Assembled in USA. Above the sticker is a battery compartment. A mark below the sticker reads: LTA1677.
label: Description
content: Unscrewing three screws on the back reveals the workings of the calculator. It has six chips, three relatively large. One of the large ones is marked: TMC0538NL (/) P 7650. This is a TMC0538 chip, manufactured in 1976. Another is marked: TMC0501NL (/) EP 7706. This is a TMC0501 chip, manufactured in 1977. The third is marked: TMC0537NL (/) AP 7644.
label: Description
content: The calculator comes in a black plastic, cloth-lined, zippered case with loop.
label: Description
content: References:
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Boston Globe</I>, February 4, 1976, p. 31. New, programmable SR-56 advertised as selling for $179.95.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I> Los Angeles Times</I>, February 28, 1976, p. OC_A5. New programmable SR-56 selling for $179.95. Compatible with PC-100 printer.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Washington Post</I>, April 23, 1976, p. B4. Calculator has list price of $179.95, sale price of $159.95. Also lists SR-52, with program strips, selling for $359.95.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I> Los Angeles Times</I>, July 10, 1976, p. C5. Lists SR-56 as having list price of $179.95, sale price of $89.95.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I> Los Angeles Times</I>, October 9, 1976, p. C7. Lists SR-56 as selling for $89.95, regular price $109.95.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I> Los Angeles Times</I>, December 22, 1976, p. D8. Price for SR-56 $85.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I> Los Angeles Times</I>, May 28, 1977, p. C4. Price for SR-56 $79.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
setName: label: See more items in
content: Medicine and Science: Computers
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content: Computers & Business Machines
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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: 1986.0988.355
label: catalog number
content: 1986.0988.325
label: accession number
content: 1986.0988
objectType: label: Object Name
content: electronic calculator
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: plastic (case; keys; carrying case material)
label: Physical Description
content: metal (circuitry; zipper material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 1 1/4 in x 3 in x 5 3/4 in; 3.175 cm x 7.62 cm x 14.605 cm