Texas Instruments TI Programmable 59 Handheld Electronic Calculator with Printer
date: label: date made
content: 1978
name: label: maker
content: Texas Instruments
notes: label: Description
content: This programmable scientific calculator, introduced in 1977, is more powerful than the TI 57 and TI 58, which were introduced at the same time. 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 a set of keys and stored in one of ten locations (denoted by the letters A through E and A’ through E’). Finally, programs could be entered on magnetic cards inserted into a slot in the right side of the calculator. Fuller instructions for programming are given in a detailed manual that accompanied another example of the calculator (see 1990.3166.01).
label: Description
content: A mark below the keyboard reads: TI Programmable 59 (/) Solid State Software. Behind the keyboard is a space that holds a handwritten label for a program. Behind this is a ten-digit display (it may also show eight digits and a two-digit positive or negative exponent). An on/off key is at the back and a jack for a power supply is on the right side.
label: Description
content: A mark on the back of the calculator reads: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS (/) electronic calculator (/) SERIAL NO. (/) 6156506 ATA2978 (/) ASSEMBLED IN USA. Below this is a compartment for a battery pack (the battery pack is stored in the printer/security cradle). Below this is a compartment for a program module—the cover is stuck shut.
label: Description
content: The calculator rests on a Texas Instruments PC-100A printer / security cradle. The printer could show the contents of the display at any time, list programs in program memory and the contents of data registers, print results from a running program, print each step of calculator operations, list program labels and locations, print alphanumeric messages, and plot data. The security cradle provided a secure place to leave the calculator and also allowed recharging of the calculator while the printer was in use.
label: Description
content: The thermal printer, with its 2 1/4 inch (5.8 cm.) wide tape, is on the left, and the mounting bracket for the calculator is on the right. In front is a storage compartment for the battery pack from the calculator and for the cover of the mounting bracket (this cover is missing). A lock is in the middle. It has no key, but the key with object 1990.0609.02 will open it.
label: Description
content: A sticker on the bottom of the object reads in part: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS (/) MODEL PC-100A (/) PRINT/SECURITY CRADLE. Text below this reads: SERIAL NO. 4984226 LTA3178.
label: Description
content: This example of the printer/security cradle lacks a plug.
label: Description
content: Compare 1990.0609.01 (another TI 59) and 1990.0609.02 (another printer, not the PC-100C), as well as documentation 1990.3166 describing these.
label: Description
content: References:
label: Description
content: “Power of Its Pocket Calculators Increased by Texas Instruments,” <I>New York Times</I>, May 25, 1977, p. 89. Suggested list price of new Programmable 59 (without printer) will be $299.95.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Hartford Courant</I>, February 6, 1977, p. 4C. PC-100A printer on sale for $199.95. Regular price $299.95. No mention of Programmable 59.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Los Angeles Times</I>, December 10, 1977, p. E3. Programmable 59 in stock, holiday sale price $219.95 (without printer).
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Los Angeles Times</I>, December 9, 1978. TI Programmable 59 selling for $214.95, PC100-A printer $148.95.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>Los Angeles Times</I>, Mar 8, 1980, p. C9. Inventory sale includes TI Programmable 59 selling for $209.95 and PC-100A printer selling for $179.95.
label: Description
content: [Advertisement], <I>New York Times</I>, November 7, 1982 p. 64. TI Programmable 59 selling for $169.95. Rebate of $20 from manufacturer brings price down to $149.95. PC-100C printer also $149.95.
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 Texas Instruments
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: 2007.0179.02
label: catalog number
content: 2007.0179.02
label: accession number
content: 2007.0179
objectType: label: Object Name
content: electronic calculator
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: plastic (case; printer case; keys material)
label: Physical Description
content: metal (circuitry material)
label: Physical Description
content: paper (paper tape; label material)
label: Measurements
content: calculator: 1 1/4 in x 3 1/2 in x 6 3/4 in; 3.175 cm x 8.89 cm x 17.145 cm
label: Measurements
content: printer (calc attached): 4 in x 11 1/4 in x 10 1/2 in; 10.16 cm x 28.575 cm x 26.67 cm