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There is a simple paradox I've noticed in product design; the objects with the most direct functions have a greater amount of accepted options in the marketplace. Two excellent examples of this are the chair and the watch. It would be difficult to think of two simpler functions and you would be hard pressed to find products with more choice in form, execution, and price.
In the 1970s, the simple calculator was one such item, as ubiquitous as they were varied. Vintage Technology has 128 examples on display with detailed specs and reviews. Worth it just for fantastic names like The Adman 830 and the Intercord Electronic 101! Some of my faves are above, but be sure to check out the full selection here.
Thanks to Jeremy Savage on the discussion boards for the tip.
Comments
I think I might still have a Texas Instruments machine in a box somewhere. I remember when a basic calculator (Add, Subtract, Multiply, Divide) was $100. I still have a Sharp solar-powered calculator in my briefcase. O'couse, I still have a slide rule somewhere too.
Anyone remember the programmable HP calculators that had the little magnetic strip (about 1 cm x 3 cm, IIRC)?
Mike.
This article made my day :D
Vintage calculators
You have discovered why there are so many collectors of old calculators such as myself.
Lots had just the four basic functions, so had to make their design more inventive to get you to buy their calc. and not a competitiors. Cost was often an important factor, but looks and then useability also accounted for a lot of buying decisions.
Novelty value has also often bee used with children - Making a calc. look like a cartoon character for example, or including a game with it. Sometimes even a book of games that you can play on your calculator.
I love how the color is a common theme among calculators, both vintage and modern. What is it about the color orange that makes you want to crunch some numbers?
i love to collect oldies. last week i bought an old calculator from ebay, the third one in the picture is on my desk now! i am happy to see this post! thanks
Vintage calculators is an example of man ingenuity and power of adaptation. It is always inspiring to study them. I just took apart a HP 41 C, the engineering and design and manufacturing that goes to make the HP 41C a great calculating machine. Of course today we got the same functionality in a single IC chip with a cheap plastic case.
I had the Intercord Electronic 101. I got to pick it out of a premium catalog for selling chocolate easter eggs as a kindergartener in cathlic school. This was our sole household calculator well into the 80s.