Texas Instruments TI-2500 II (Datamath II) Handheld Electronic Calculator

Object Details

Texas Instruments

Description

This is an example of an early handheld electronic calculator marketed by Texas Instruments under its own name. The calculator has a tan plastic case with a dark brown keyboard. It has an array of nineteen keys, seventeen of them square and two rectangular. These include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a total key, four arithmetic function keys, a clear key, a clear entry key, and a percentage key. The percentage key distinguishes it from the TI-2500B.

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

A jack for a power adapter is along the back edge. An on/off switch is on the left side.

The back of the calculator has a compartment for storing either two rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries or two AA-sized non-rechargeable batteries.

A sticker on the compartment cover reads: TI-2500II electronic calculator (/) Texas Instruments Incorporated (/) P.O. Box 22288: Dallas, Texas 75222. It also reads in part: Serial Number (/) 2500II- 019756. The sticker indicates that the calculator should be recharged for twelve hours using an AC9130 adapter/charger.

Unscrewing three long screws on the back of the case does not reveal the chips.

This modification of the TI-2500 was introduced in 1974 and sold at least until 1975.

Compare 1986.0988.188, 1986.0988.189, 1986.0988.190, 1986.0988.342, and 1986.0988.359.

References:

Guy Ball and Bruce Flamm, The Complete Collector’s Guide to Pocket Calculators, Tustin, CA: Wilson/Barnett, 1997, p. 157.

Online Datamath Museum, accessed May 13, 2015.

[Advertisement], Chicago Tribune, March 2, 1975, p. G27. Price given as $49.95.

Location

Currently not on view

Credit Line

Gift of John B. Priser

1974-1975

ID Number

1986.0988.342

catalog number

1986.0988.342

accession number

1986.0988

Object Name

electronic calculator

Physical Description

plastic (overall material)

Measurements

overall: 1 5/8 in x 3 7/8 in x 5 1/2 in; 4.1275 cm x 9.8425 cm x 13.97 cm

See more items in

Medicine and Science: Computers

Computers & Business Machines

Handheld Electronic Calculators

National Museum of American History

Record ID

nmah_1364035

Metadata Usage (text)

CC0

GUID (Link to Original Record)

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ac-f02e-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa