really enjoyed this! I miss new york every day, and this type of story makes me feel like I'm back, it's people like you and Saggar that make nyc so special!
Having grown up in same era as you did, I can related to your excitement at receiving a calculator as a gift. I particularly remember my first "scientific" calculator - and the fact that a then friend of mine stole it. The frightening things is that when I look in my desk drawer, I can see a few devices that look very much like the ones at the "museum". I guess I haven't had the heart to dispose of them. Perhaps I'll have to donate them to the collection.
I remember my father purchased a Bomar Brain calculator for $100 in the early 1970s. It could add, subtract, multiply, divide, %, and calculate the square root. That was it. Within 10 years, calculators with the same capability were given away in cereal boxes. It’s odd, but I often think about that calculator.
“I felt that some things were alive or maybe had a soul, so discarding them would not be nice. I still kind of believe that.” I like to think he’s right about that.
The K button on the photo of the Gillette bothered me so much I had to find out what K stands for. Turns out it’s for “Constant”, but otherwise dull.
Thank you for this article. Brought back so many happy memories. My first job was with Burroughs in the 70's repairing and servicing their adding machines. Great to see an old preserved one on display. I also had an original Sinclair Scientific calculator at school which I adored. Thanks again.
2 decades ago reading their "blog" sent me on my way for my own pilgrimage to TurboSonic when I lived in Tokyo - which was a store selling refurbished 80's boomboxes in Shibuya
I loved this...because I am a collector. I collected matchcovers for many, many years. Had thousands that started with about twenty given to me by my grandmother. I joined the Rathkamp Matchcover Society. It's a real thing.
I did not collect calculators but have fond memories of those who came into my life along the way.
I'm older than you and the first calculators were as big as a typewriter. My husband has his original pocket calculator, The Bowmar Brain. It was not small enough for a pocket and was expensive. He got it in 1972.
really enjoyed this! I miss new york every day, and this type of story makes me feel like I'm back, it's people like you and Saggar that make nyc so special!
I love this. Especially the lady versions.
Having grown up in same era as you did, I can related to your excitement at receiving a calculator as a gift. I particularly remember my first "scientific" calculator - and the fact that a then friend of mine stole it. The frightening things is that when I look in my desk drawer, I can see a few devices that look very much like the ones at the "museum". I guess I haven't had the heart to dispose of them. Perhaps I'll have to donate them to the collection.
Rahul needs those calculators photo documented and a giant collection image would be great too! HMU!!!
I still have the old Sharp I got for Christmas one year in the late 70s or early 80s!
My former land surveyor father asked me to buy him a replacement calculator when he was in his eighties.
He told me it needed to be “Reverse Polish Notation “.
I thought he was sending me out to buy the equivalent of a left-handed screwdriver.
Turns out you could still buy a RPN calculator in the 2010s - but it cost way more than any ordinary one
I remember my father purchased a Bomar Brain calculator for $100 in the early 1970s. It could add, subtract, multiply, divide, %, and calculate the square root. That was it. Within 10 years, calculators with the same capability were given away in cereal boxes. It’s odd, but I often think about that calculator.
“I felt that some things were alive or maybe had a soul, so discarding them would not be nice. I still kind of believe that.” I like to think he’s right about that.
The K button on the photo of the Gillette bothered me so much I had to find out what K stands for. Turns out it’s for “Constant”, but otherwise dull.
http://www.vintagecalculators.com/html/bowmar_calculators.html
Found an article about the Bomar.
Thank you for this article. Brought back so many happy memories. My first job was with Burroughs in the 70's repairing and servicing their adding machines. Great to see an old preserved one on display. I also had an original Sinclair Scientific calculator at school which I adored. Thanks again.
I'm sure you've seen Nerd Watch Museum at Pocket Calculator Show, but just in case
https://www.pocketcalculatorshow.com/nerdwatch/
2 decades ago reading their "blog" sent me on my way for my own pilgrimage to TurboSonic when I lived in Tokyo - which was a store selling refurbished 80's boomboxes in Shibuya
I really enjoyed reading this. One interesting thing I’ve come to know is that most humans have their THING. It’s just awesome.
I loved this...because I am a collector. I collected matchcovers for many, many years. Had thousands that started with about twenty given to me by my grandmother. I joined the Rathkamp Matchcover Society. It's a real thing.
I did not collect calculators but have fond memories of those who came into my life along the way.
Did he discuss sourcing batteries? Are they a problem I wonder.
I'm older than you and the first calculators were as big as a typewriter. My husband has his original pocket calculator, The Bowmar Brain. It was not small enough for a pocket and was expensive. He got it in 1972.
There es is a great calculator, computer, sliding ruler at the Nicolai Tesla museum in Zagreb, Croatia.