Hewlett-Packard HP-55 Programmable Handheld Electronic Calculator
date: label: date made
content: 1977
name: label: maker
content: Hewlett-Packard Company
notes: label: Description
content: Introduced in early 1975, the HP-55 handheld electronic calculator was a less expensive alternative to the HP-65. It had no card reader or program cards, but programs of up to forty-nine steps could be entered by the user. In addition, there were eighty-six pre-programmed functions and operations.
label: Description
content: The lower part of the keyboard includes data entry keys for ten digits, as well as decimal point, enter, change sign, enter exponent, and clear display keys. It also has keys for the four arithmetic operations. Using alternate meanings for these keys offers extensive opportunities to convert between metric and standard units, as well as entering angles as degrees, radians or grads. Pressing the "R/S" (run/stop) key in the bottom right corner begins program execution.
label: Description
content: Above this set of keys are prefix keys (function, second function, store, recall) that are combined with one or two more keystrokes to complete a command. Further keys allow programming. The calculator also includes a digital timer.
label: Description
content: Behind the keyboard are the on/off switch and a second switch that may be set for writing programs or for running them.
label: Description
content: Behind the switches is a red LED display for up to ten significant digits, plus two-digit exponent and appropriate signs for both. A mark along the front edge reads: hp HEWLETT•PACKARD 55.
label: Description
content: The back of the calculator has an outlet for a power adapter, a battery case, and a sticker that reads in part: HEWLETT-PACKARD HP-55 INSTRUCTIONS. A sticker below this reads: HEWLETT•PACKARD (/) SER. NO. 1704S 01114. The first four digits of the serial number indicate that the calculator was made in the fourth week (January) of 1977. The S signifies manufacture in Singapore.
label: Description
content: In the cardboard box with the calculator are a battery pack with three batteries, a Hewlett-Packard 8200A battery charger and power adapter, and a leather, cloth-lined case. The calculator initially sold for $395.
label: Description
content: For related documentation received with this calculator see 1980.0813.02, 1981.0813.03, and 1980.0813.04. For other documentation see 1982.0222.05.
label: Description
content: References:
label: Description
content: W.A.C. Mier-Jedrzejowicz, <I>A Guide to HP Handheld Calculators and Computers </I>, Tustin, California: Wilson/Burnett Publishing, 1997, pp. 44–45, 132.
label: Description
content: David G. Hicks, <I>The Museum of HP Calculators</I>, http://www.hpmuseum.org/, accessed July 2014.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], “Hewlett-Packard introduces another uncompromising calculator, the new HP-55 Programmable Scientific,” <I>Electronics</I>, vol. 48, #8, April 17, 1975, pp. 60-61.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: place made
content: Singapore
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: Nicholas Grossman
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: 1980.0813.01
label: catalog number
content: 1980.0813.01
label: accession number
content: 1980.0813
objectType: label: Object Name
content: electronic calculator
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: plastic (case; keys; display cover material)
label: Physical Description
content: leather (carrying case material)
label: Physical Description
content: cloth (carrying case liner material)
label: Physical Description
content: cardboard (box material)
label: Physical Description
content: metal (circuitry material)
label: Physical Description
content: ceramic (display circuit board material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: .15 cm x .08 cm x .03 cm; 1/16 in x 1/16 in x in