Texas Instruments Programmable 58 C Handheld Electronic Calculator
date: label: date made
content: 1979
name: label: maker
content: Texas Instruments
notes: label: Description
content: This programmable scientific calculator, introduced in 1979, is a successor to the TI Programmable 58 that boasts constant memory (programs could be retained when the calculator was turned off). It has a black plastic case and an array of forty-five rectangular plastic keys, most of which can assume a dual function. The calculator could be operated manually by pressing keys. It could run a variety of preprogrammed routines from a module inserted in a compartment in the back of the case. Programs could also be entered using keys and stored in one of ten locations (denoted by the letters A through E and A’ through E’).
label: Description
content: A mark below the keyboard reads: TI Programmable 58C (/) Solid State Software (/) Constant Memory. Behind the keyboard is a white space that would hold a paper label card describing a program on a module (the module itself is stored in the back of the calculator). Behind this is a ten-digit display (it may also show five digits and a two-digit positive or negative exponent). An on / off key is at the back and a jack for a power supply on the right side.
label: Description
content: A mark on the back of the calculator reads: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS (/) electronic calculator (/) SERIAL NO. (/) 1289812 ATA4879 (/) ASSEMBLED IN USA. Below this is a compartment for a battery pack. The lid is labeled: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS (/) BATTERY PACK BP-1A. Below this is a compartment for a program module. The module inside is labeled: MASTER (/) LIBRARY (/) MODULE (/) -1-.
label: Description
content: Compare 1987.0435.03 (TI Programmable 58) and 2007.0179.01. (TI Programmable 58C).
label: Description
content: References:
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Los Angeles Times</I>, May 26, 1979, p. D7. Advertises new TI programmable 58C as “retaining data or program information even when the calculator is turned off.” Taking orders for calculator at a price of $109.95.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Los Angeles Times</I>, July 7, 1979, p. C7. TI 58C now in stock, price $109.95.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Washington Post</I>, November 9, 1979, p. E8. TI 58C now on sale for $94.95. Programming libraries, regularly $30 each, $25 each if purchased in pairs.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Los Angeles Times</I>, September 27, 1980, p. OC_C14. TI Programmable 58C on sale for $112.95.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>New York Times</I>, January 8, 1984, p. 43. TI 58C on sale for $149.95 – includes printer.
label: Description
content: Texas Instruments, <I>TI Programmable 58/59 Master Library. . .</I>, (1977). A copy of this is 1990.3166.02.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: place made
content: United States
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: 1987.0435.04
label: catalog number
content: 1987.0435.04
label: accession number
content: 1987.0435
objectType: label: Object Name
content: electronic calculator
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: plastic (case; keys material)
label: Physical Description
content: metal (circuitry material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 1 1/2 in x 3 in x 6 1/2 in; 3.81 cm x 7.62 cm x 16.51 cm