Object Details
- Texas Instruments
- Description
- The TI-1766 was the first solar-powered calculator sold by Texas Instruments. The handheld electronic calculator has a silver-colored metal case and twenty-five rectangular plastic keys. These include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a total key, four arithmetic function keys, four memory keys, an all clear key, a square root key, a percentage key, a change sign key, and a clear entry/clear key. A mark below the keys reads: LIGHT POWERED. Behind the keys is a solar cell. A mark behind this reads: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS TI-1766. Behind this is an eight-digit LCD display.
- A sticker on the back of the case reads: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS (/) electronic calculator (/) SOLAR AND LIGHT POWER (/) SERIAL NO. 118063 (/) 093 (/) MADE IN JAPAN. Unscrewing the back of the calculator reveals only the back of the chip and the back of the circuit board.
- The calculator has a gray plastic jacket, marked on the back: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS.
- According to the online Datamath Museum, Texas Instruments began selling the TI-1766 in 1981, using a Toshiba chip. A second design appeared the next year and a third in 1983. This calculator does not precisely match any of these designs—the model number is just below the display, not below the keys. It resembles a machine shown in advertisements from 1985 and 1986. The calculator came to the museum in 1987.
- References:
- [Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, November 28, 1985, p. Z11. Regular price $9.95, sale price $6.97.
- [Advertisement], Washington Post, January 2, 1986, p. B10. The calculator had a regular price of $6.95 and a sale price of $5.90.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Credit Line
- Gift of John B. Priser
- ca 1986
- ID Number
- 1987.0435.06
- catalog number
- 1987.0435.06
- accession number
- 1987.0435
- Object Name
- electronic calculator
- Physical Description
- metal (case; circuitry material)
- plastic (keys; circuit board; wallet material)
- paper (sticker material)
- Measurements
- overall: 1/4 in x 2 1/2 in x 4 1/2 in; .635 cm x 6.35 cm x 11.43 cm
- place made
- Japan
- See more items in
- Medicine and Science: Computers
- Computers & Business Machines
- Handheld Electronic Calculators
- National Museum of American History
- Record ID
- nmah_214330
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a0-ebac-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
