Texas Instruments SR-51-II Handheld Electronic Calculator

Object Details

Texas Instruments

Description

This handheld electronic scientific calculator is a modification of the earlier SR-51 and SR-51A. It has a black plastic case with an array of forty small rectangular plastic keys. All but five of these keys have a “dual function”—one function is indicated on the key, the other on the keyboard above the key. This makes it possible to use keys to perform conversions from some common to metric measures, rather than using the system of codes employed on the SR-51. A key also can be used to convert from degrees to radians, something performed by a switch on the SR-51.

Text above the keys reads: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SR-51-II. Behind the keyboard is an on/off switch. Behind this is an LED display that shows ten-digit positive and negative numbers and two-digit positive and negative exponents. The jack for a charger/adapter is on the right side of the calculator.

Text on the back of the calculator (there is no sticker) reads: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS (/) electronic calculator (/) SERIAL NO. (/) 6389263 LTA5076 (/) ASSEMBLED IN USA. An empty battery pack inside the middle of the back is marked: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS (/) ELECTRONIC BATTERY BP-5.

There are no screws to easily take apart the calculator. The device has a black plastic zippered case.

References:

[Advertisement], Boston Globe, September 26, 1976, p. 87. Lists calculator as a new product from Texas Instruments that sells for $67.95.

[Advertisement], New York Times, March 6, 1977, p. 98. Lists calculator as selling for $54.95.

[Advertisement], Washington Post, September 14, 1978, p. A19. SR-51-II on sale for $29.95, a $20 savings.

Location

Currently not on view

Credit Line

Gift of John B. Priser

1976

ID Number

1986.0988.358

catalog number

1986.0988.358

accession number

1986.0988

Object Name

electronic calculator

Physical Description

metal (zipper; some circuitry material)

plastic (case; carrying case; keys material)

Measurements

overall: 1 1/2 in x 3 in x 5 3/4 in; 3.81 cm x 7.62 cm x 14.605 cm

See more items in

Medicine and Science: Computers

Computers & Business Machines

Handheld Electronic Calculators

National Museum of American History

Record ID

nmah_1364053

Metadata Usage (text)

CC0

GUID (Link to Original Record)

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ac-d16a-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa