Remember this (Page 3): In 1977 LCD weren't used for calculator yet. The first HP calculator that has LCD display was the HP41 introduced in 1979. The first time a calculator with...

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Jan 8, 2023 08:44:27 #

BebuLamar

ClarkJohnson wrote:

I got my first 12C when I went to business school in 1977, and for decades it was the hallmark of a certain elite strata of business-nerd-financial professional. I have gone through several over the years, but keep replacing them, although the functions are overkill for me these days. Rare to see such a long-lived product.

In 1977 LCD weren't used for calculator yet. The first HP calculator that has LCD display was the HP41 introduced in 1979. The first time a calculator with useful battery life. Previously the battery only lasted for 2 hours or so. The HP-12C was introduced in 1981.

Jan 8, 2023 13:10:28 #

LXK0930 Loc: Souh Jersey

Longshadow wrote:

YUP!!

Same with a 20K hard drive platter that was the size of an LP record.

I showed this to my grandkid. She wanted to know what an LP record was!

Jan 8, 2023 14:52:34 #

NDMarks Loc: Dublin, Ca

I can easily relate to this cartoon. In the "OLD DAYS" I worked for a company called Control Data. They made arguably the largest and fastest super computers. They had Drum mass storage, used chilled water to keep the cordwood modules cooler, and had a motor-generator for each system to provide the 400 plus volt power. Their primary designer was an engineer named Seymour Cray (he later founded Cray Research). Every time CDC came out with a new system, there was a battle to see who would get the first one, between NSA (Natn Security Agency) and Lawrence Radiation Lab. Lawrence is now called Lawrence Livermore Labs since they took out the radiation.

Jan 8, 2023 15:07:05 #

DJphoto Loc: SF Bay Area

NDMarks wrote:

I can easily relate to this cartoon. In the "... (show quote)

As I recall, there was a CDC mainframe installed in the engineering department at San Jose State University that filled 3 classrooms. I punched a lot of 80 character cards writing (learning) FORTRAN programs in 1971 on that computer.

Jan 8, 2023 15:15:40 #

NDMarks Loc: Dublin, Ca

I was also going to San Jose State at the time (marketing) and I believe I had access to a 3000 series CDC system. I ran a Fortran program that took 45 minutes to run. I ran the same program at the Sunnyvale Development Center where I was a Customer Engineer (fancy word for service tech.) and ran it on a 6600 and it ran in under 10 seconds. What was nice was that I had access to the fastest computers and some great software minds.

Jan 8, 2023 16:49:57 #

Ollieboy

jackm1943 wrote:

In the early 1970's I received a Bomar calculator in partial payment for some technical writing. Just four functions, and were going for about $105 thru a petroleum company, can't remember which. Wish I would have not thrown it away years ago.

I bought the Bomar Brain model in the mid 70's

Jan 8, 2023 19:28:47 #

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

Ollieboy wrote:

I bought the Bomar Brain model in the mid 70's

Was the Brain the four function earliest model? Do you happen to remember which petrol company was selling them?
JackM

Jan 9, 2023 18:07:01 #

JBuckley

These days, we are becoming "relics" in our own mind.

The other day, I made mention of my wishing that I had
the money to buy a Palm Pilot, when they were the vogue.

Every one in the room laughed. (Some wanted to know
what a palm pilot was? ) Then I laughed........

(give me a pencil and scratch pad, anydayl)

Jan 9, 2023 18:08:10 #

JBuckley

I remember those.
The library had "platters" like that, which were the first DVD, movies.
They became obsolete within a few months.

Jan 9, 2023 18:17:38 #

JBuckley

Within a few years, the Space Shuttles will be able to take all the
computer equipment that they will need for a two-year voyage,
in a 5 gallon bucket.

Jan 9, 2023 18:27:44 #

NDMarks Loc: Dublin, Ca

JBuckley wrote:

Within a few years, the Space Shuttles will be able to take all the
computer equipment that they will need for a two-year voyage,
in a 5 gallon bucket.

Why would they need a bucket? It will probably all fit in a cell phone or watch!

Jan 9, 2023 18:52:59 #

Stephan G

JBuckley wrote:

Tell them it is a sharp point No. 2 pencil, to write (etch) into the palm of hand. Let them know that they can use "Stubby" pencils.

Jan 9, 2023 19:13:43 #

DJphoto Loc: SF Bay Area

Stephan G wrote:

Tell them it is a sharp point No. 2 pencil, to write (etch) into the palm of hand. Let them know that they can use "Stubby" pencils.

Remember back in the early days of the "space race" when NASA spent a lot to develop a pen that would work in zero g? The Soviets used a pencil.

Jan 9, 2023 19:24:28 #

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Red Farmer wrote:

I remember 1969 this was in a semi trailer and 4 years later it was in a TI 30.

Yup, and the "computer room" was always freezing cold.

Jan 9, 2023 19:34:21 #

DJphoto Loc: SF Bay Area

MadMikeOne wrote:

Yup, and the "computer room" was always freezing cold.

The reason the room was cold is that the reliability of a semiconductor is approximately related to its junction temperature as follows: something like a 10 degrees C increase cuts the reliability in half, while lowering it 10C about doubles it. This is true for the "normal" operating range.

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