TI-59, programmable calculator
Date: circa 1980
Inventory Number: 1999-1-0072
Classification: Calculator
Subject:
Maker: Texas Instruments Incorporated (founded 1930)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
16.3 × 8.2 × 3.7 cm (6 7/16 × 3 1/4 × 1 7/16 in.)
Description:
The calculator is encased in a rectangular black plastic container. One end of the container is slightly raised and houses a rectangular red LED screen that can display up to ten decimal digits of precision. Beneath the display screen is the key pad, outlined with a thin beige border. The TI-59 buttons are brown, cream, and tan plastic. A sub-panel of cream and tan buttons in the bottom right-hand corner of the key pad provide the numerals from 0 - 9 and the standard arithmetic operation buttons. Above and to the left of this standard pad are buttons for performing more advanced mathematical operations and programs.
A panel on the back of the calculator has been removed, revealing a green plastic cutout circuit board. Several circuit components and a microchip have been soldered together and onto the circuit board.
More technical information can be found on the original 1974 patent here.
A panel on the back of the calculator has been removed, revealing a green plastic cutout circuit board. Several circuit components and a microchip have been soldered together and onto the circuit board.
More technical information can be found on the original 1974 patent here.
Signedprinted in beige letters in the bottom right-hand corner of top calculator panel: TI Programmable 59 / Solid State Software
etched into the black plastic back panel: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS / electronic calculator [TI logo: i superimposed on state of Texas] / SERIAL NO. / 6151323 ATA4178 / ASSEMBLED IN U.S.A. / THIS CALCULATOR OR ITS COMPONENTS PROTECTED BY ONE / OR MORE U.S. PATENTS: OTHER PATENTS PENDING: / 3819921 / 3855577 / 3893088 / 3900722 / 3902054 / 3904863 / 3919536 / 3924110 / 3934233 / 3976975 / 3934313 / CAUTION / TURN CALCULATOR OFF BEFORE REMOVING COVER TO MODULE COMPARTMENT
etched into the black plastic back panel: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS / electronic calculator [TI logo: i superimposed on state of Texas] / SERIAL NO. / 6151323 ATA4178 / ASSEMBLED IN U.S.A. / THIS CALCULATOR OR ITS COMPONENTS PROTECTED BY ONE / OR MORE U.S. PATENTS: OTHER PATENTS PENDING: / 3819921 / 3855577 / 3893088 / 3900722 / 3902054 / 3904863 / 3919536 / 3924110 / 3934233 / 3976975 / 3934313 / CAUTION / TURN CALCULATOR OFF BEFORE REMOVING COVER TO MODULE COMPARTMENT
Inscribedstamped in white on back panel: A2
FunctionThe TI-59 calculator functions as a standard calculator for performing standard and advanced mathematical operations. The calculator is also programmable. Users can code programs for the performance of specialized and complex operations, like finding the zero of some function.
A comprehensive discussion of the TI-59, including a history and examples of code, is available here and here.
A comprehensive discussion of the TI-59, including a history and examples of code, is available here and here.