Gathering Handheld Mathematical Devices

In the early 1970s, Texas Instruments introduced the first pocket calculator, a device that revolutionised the way people performed calculations. This compact machine was equipped with functions such as plus, minus, multiplication, division, square root, one number memory, and could handle eight digits.

As the years passed, calculators evolved to become more versatile. The HP49C, for instance, found success in the industry and was more affordable than its counterpart, the HP71B. While the HP71B wrote in Basic programming language and could be expanded with extra RAM and a card reader, it was not as successful due to its clumsy interface and a design flaw that made it unstable.

The HP71B, however, holds a special place in history. Currently, two of these calculators are owned by Alain Bossard and a taxicab driver named Bernd Baeuerle. The HP71B was donated to Wits for a computer history exhibition, a testament to its historical significance.

Logarithmic tables and slide rules, traditional specialized calculating machines, were the norm before pocket calculators. Learning to use logarithmic tables is not difficult, understanding the basics of exponentials is required. A slide rule in pristine condition would be a prized possession today.

The speaker's father, who grew up with valve amplifier radios, phonographs, reel-to-reel tape machines, and experimented with electronics on bread-boards, would have been fascinated by the electronics we have today. He worked in air-force hangars as a flight-sergeant and workshop manager, and was a firm believer in the electronics age.

Calculators have come a long way since the HP71B. They have become more sophisticated, able to perform symbolic manipulations and handle different classes of data such as arithmetic with integer fractions or complex numbers. Some Sharp calculators, for example, boast a larger screen, dot matrix, custom functions, and more memory.

Sharp calculators are known for their superior interface compared to other brands. Later models of pocket calculators used black LCD screens and required small wristwatch batteries or solar cells. Memory space in calculators has increased significantly, allowing for the storage of multiple numbers and own defined formulas.

Calculators have also become faster over time, able to calculate complex mathematical operations quickly. The current owners of old calculating machines, including shop counter adding machines, specialized scientific calculators, and financial ones, collect them as a hobby.

The first versatile programmable portable calculators include models like Casio with a simple Basic interpreter. The speaker collects these historical devices, each a testament to the advancements in technology. The speaker's mother worked with mainframe computers using punch cards and large data tape reels, a far cry from the pocket-sized calculators we use today.

In conclusion, the evolution of calculators is a fascinating journey, from the first pocket calculator to the sophisticated devices we use today. Each step in this evolution has brought us closer to the future, a future where technology continues to amaze and simplify our lives.