Texas Instruments TI-1500 Handheld Electronic Calculator

Texas Instruments TI-1500 Handheld Electronic Calculator

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Description
This handheld electronic calculator has a black plastic case with metal trim around the edge. It has an array of nineteen square plastic keys. This includes ten digit keys (all but the zero key white). It also has a decimal point key, a total key, four arithmetic function keys, a clear key, a clear entry key, and a percentage key. The on/off switch is at the top left of the keyboard.
A mark above keyboard on the right reads: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS. Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit LED display.
A jack for a power outlet is along the back edge. A sticker on the back reads: TI-1500 electronic calculator (/) Texas Instruments Incorporated. It also reads in part: Serial number (/) 1500 256747. The sticker indicates that the calculator should be recharged using an AC9140 adapter/charger. A mark scratched on the side of the calculator reads: NAU (/) 068499.
The TI-1500 was the successor to TI’s 2500 Datamath series of calculators, and hence early in the history of the company as a producer of electronic calculators. The online Datamath Museum describes three forms of the TI-1500—this is the third form. It dates a calculator of this model with serial number 1500 219114 to the spring of 1976.
References:
[Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, May 4, 1974, p. B2. TI-1500 selling for $69.95.
[Advertisement], Boston Globe, August 18, 1974, p. 81. TI-1500, regularly $69.95, on sale for $56.50.
[Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, October 26, 1974, p. C2. TI-1500 selling for $59.95.
[Advertisement], Chicago Tribune, April 4, 1975, p. A6. TI-1500 selling for $49.95.
[Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, December 18, 1975, p. G14. TI-1500 selling for $39.95.
[Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, March 13, 1976, p. A4. TI-1500 selling for $27.95.
Online Datamath Museum, accessed June 1, 2015.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
electronic calculator
Other Terms
electronic calculator; Handheld
date made
ca 1976
maker
Texas Instruments
Physical Description
plastic (case; keys material)
metal (trim; circuits material)
paper (sticker material)
Measurements
overall: 1 in x 2 1/2 in x 5 in; 2.54 cm x 6.35 cm x 12.7 cm
ID Number
1986.0988.196
accession number
1986.0988
catalog number
1986.0988.196
Credit Line
Gift of John B. Priser
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Computers
Computers & Business Machines
Handheld Electronic Calculators
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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Comments

I recently found one of these calculators while cleaning out my garage in Sun City,AZ.. It has the serial number: 1500070933. I opened it up and found two Radio Shack rechargeable batteries p/n 23-125B inside. The batteries had corroded through the + anode and all the chemicals were gone. Being an old (89 years+) Air Force Radar Repairman, I put two slightly used AA batteries in place of the rechargeable and lo and behold, IT WORKS! It also bears the markings of having been repaired.

Wayne L. McCann

Thu, 2018-11-15 08:28

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