Texas Instruments TI-1500 Handheld Electronic Calculator

Object Details

Texas Instruments

Description

This handheld electronic calculator has a black plastic case with metal trim around the edge. It has an array of nineteen square plastic keys. This includes ten digit keys (all but the zero key white). It also has a decimal point key, a total key, four arithmetic function keys, a clear key, a clear entry key, and a percentage key. The on/off switch is at the top left of the keyboard.

A mark above keyboard on the right reads: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS. Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit LED display.

A jack for a power outlet is along the back edge. A sticker on the back reads: TI-1500 electronic calculator (/) Texas Instruments Incorporated. It also reads in part: Serial number (/) 1500 256747. The sticker indicates that the calculator should be recharged using an AC9140 adapter/charger. A mark scratched on the side of the calculator reads: NAU (/) 068499.

The TI-1500 was the successor to TI’s 2500 Datamath series of calculators, and hence early in the history of the company as a producer of electronic calculators. The online Datamath Museum describes three forms of the TI-1500—this is the third form. It dates a calculator of this model with serial number 1500 219114 to the spring of 1976.

References:

[Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, May 4, 1974, p. B2. TI-1500 selling for $69.95.

[Advertisement], Boston Globe, August 18, 1974, p. 81. TI-1500, regularly $69.95, on sale for $56.50.

[Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, October 26, 1974, p. C2. TI-1500 selling for $59.95.

[Advertisement], Chicago Tribune, April 4, 1975, p. A6. TI-1500 selling for $49.95.

[Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, December 18, 1975, p. G14. TI-1500 selling for $39.95.

[Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, March 13, 1976, p. A4. TI-1500 selling for $27.95.

Online Datamath Museum, accessed June 1, 2015.

Location

Currently not on view

Credit Line

Gift of John B. Priser

ca 1976

ID Number

1986.0988.196

accession number

1986.0988

catalog number

1986.0988.196

Object Name

electronic calculator

Other Terms

electronic calculator; Handheld

Physical Description

plastic (case; keys material)

metal (trim; circuits material)

paper (sticker material)

Measurements

overall: 1 in x 2 1/2 in x 5 in; 2.54 cm x 6.35 cm x 12.7 cm

See more items in

Medicine and Science: Computers

Computers & Business Machines

Handheld Electronic Calculators

National Museum of American History

Record ID

nmah_334610

Metadata Usage (text)

CC0

GUID (Link to Original Record)

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a1-3de0-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa