Electronic Calculators, Computers and Toys
Hewlett Packard Calculators: Often considered to be the beginning of microchip technology, the handheld calculator needed to be portable, low power consumption and be able to fit in a pocket or purse. The key is the use of the large scale integrated circuit or LSI. Hewlett Packard (HP) founded by Bill Hewitt and David Packard in Palo Alto, CA have been building large desktop versions of scientific calculators with the HP 9000 series. This time HP felt the time was right to market a handheld calculator that can fit in a pocket. David Packard wanted a calculator that would fit in his shirt pocket. They succeeded with the introduction of the HP 35, the world's first compact portable scientific calculator in 1973 for $395. HP engineers used an operating system called Reverse Polish Notation (RPN) to simplify the calculating algorithm and speed up calculation as opposed to the more common Algebraic Operating System (AOS). $100 Shown on the left is the internal electronics of the HP 35. Notice the LSI on the left (white and gold).
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Hewlett Packard (HP) Calculators (SEE BELOW)
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HP: Setting the Stage- First in the world!
HP: Setting the Stage- First in the world!
HP CALCULATORS: The FIRST GENERATION
(Setting the Standard to Scientific Calculators)HP 35 (1973) ($395 in 1973)The world's first handheld scientific calculator. Called the HP35 because it has 35 keys. David Packard cofounder of HP made it HP's goal to have a shirt pocket scientific calculator. Has LED display, rechargeable and uses RPN Logic for calculations.
First Handheld Business Calculator
HP-80 (1973) $395 World's first handheld electronic calculator for business applications. Has preprogrammed formulas used in business and the first HP calculator to have a function button adding additional functions to the existing keys.
HP-80 (1973) $395 World's first handheld electronic calculator for business applications. Has preprogrammed formulas used in business and the first HP calculator to have a function button adding additional functions to the existing keys.
SECOND GENERATION HP PROGRAMMABLE CALCULATOR
HP 97 ($895 in 1974) desktop version of HP 67 Fully programmable. Has built in thermal printer. Upgrade from HP 65. Design architecture similar to the HP-20 series calculators.
HP-31E and HP-32E Scientific nonprogrammable calculators (1979 prices $69 and $89 respectively). My first HP calculator was the HP-31E. This model replaced the HP-22 and was significantly lower in price and did more. The HP-32E was a much more powerful calculator for only a few dollars more. Because of the HP-32E's popularity the HP-31E would be discontinued sooner than the other HP-30 series calculators.
The first generation HP calculators were the HP 35, HP 45, HP 80 and the world's first handheld programmable HP 65.
HP 45 (1973-74) ($495 in 1973) The updated version of the HP 35. Uses a function key to provide additional functions to existing keys.
INSIDE THE HP-45
THIRD GENERATION, HP'S FIRST PROGRAMMABLE BUSINESS CALCULATOR
HP 38E / 38C ($120 / $150 in 1979). Rather than having specially assigned keys for particular calculations, this calculator allows the user to do complete functions and entering data . The HP 38C has conrinuous memory which allows one to pause in their work by turning power off and come back later to resume.
INSIDE THE HP-38E USA made HP-38E , the micro chips were pressure connected, to avoid soldering. Later it was determined to revert back to soldering due to potential reliability problems. If you have one made in Singapore or have the HP 38C all parts are soldered down.
ABOVE: Switching power supply for display, calculator function operation battery charging.
20 years after the HP 35
FIFTH GENERATION HP CALCULATORS: LED to LCD Display
No need for chargers and bulky rechargeable batteries.
HP 32SII Scientific Programmable with continuous memory. LCD display, RPN logic and uses primary AG-52 cells.
SIXTH GENERATION and probably last technology innovative HP CALCULATORS
Full graphic display and multi line operation
HP 48S, SX, G and GX Graphing Programmable Scientific Calculator with RPN Calculator Logic and uses AAA primary cells.
The HP-30 series was the first calculators to have commas added for every 3 digits being displayed. This was also the last HP calculators to have LED displays. The next generation (HP-10 series) will use LCD display.
BELOW: A common failure of the HP-30 series, When the rechargeable batteries are left in for a long period of tile and the charger continuously plugged in corrosion destroys the ribbon cable and contacts as shown.
BELOW: HP-32E LSI removed from calculator, chip was not fully functional.
Second version, all ic's are soldered onto the board as shown above.
Hewlett Packard Celebrates the 35th Anniversary of their first pocket calculator the HP 35, with the HP 35S.
35th Anniversary Model to celebrate the HP 35. HP brings out the HP 35S in 2008. Often claimed to be the end of true HP designed calculators. Came with a DVD on the history of HP 35 and later models. Does a lot more than the original, but has similar operating feel as the HP 35. Has LCD display and uses AG 52 primary cells.
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