Texas Instruments programmable 58 calculator
Datecirca 1978
Inventory Number1990-3-0001
ClassificationElectronic Calculator
Subject
Maker
Texas Instruments Incorporated
founded 1930
User
Mineralogical and Geological Museum, Harvard University
founded 1977
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensionsbox: 6.5 × 33.8 × 22.6 cm (2 9/16 × 13 5/16 × 8 7/8 in.)
Material
Accessorieszippered case; program record tablet; master library guide: "Personal Programming: A complete guide to a whole new dimension in problem solving ease and power: handheld programming"; AC adapter/charger; instruction manual (in object file)
DescriptionBlack, rectangular calculator with slightly bulging side edges. Ten digits, red LED display on top, with white, brown, and yellow buttons underneath. 2nd function printed in gold above each button.
Fitted, black zippered case with internal pocket for small reference manual with loop on top for attaching to belt. Lined with felt black cloth inside.
AC adapter has two-pronged plug and black case 5.3 cm side in front tapering over 5 cm to 4.5 cm side in back. Red and black wire, about 6 ft long, leading away and ending in small 2-holed female plug.
Fitted, black zippered case with internal pocket for small reference manual with loop on top for attaching to belt. Lined with felt black cloth inside.
AC adapter has two-pronged plug and black case 5.3 cm side in front tapering over 5 cm to 4.5 cm side in back. Red and black wire, about 6 ft long, leading away and ending in small 2-holed female plug.
Signedon front (top): Texas Instruments
Inscribedon front (bottom): TI Programmable 58 Solid State Software
on adapter: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS / POWER / SUPPLY / ASSY IN USA / ADAPTER / MODEL AC 9131 / CAUTION / INDOOR USE ONLY / INPUT (120 VAC; 60 Hz; 6 Watts) / OUTPUT (3.3 VAC; 500 MA)
Curatorial RemarksInstruction manual is in object file and has not been scanned.
FunctionThe TI58, introduced in 1977, was designed to perform calculations in math, statistics, finance, and other fields. It came with the "Master Library Module," which contained all of the basic calculator functions, but many other modules (e.g. electrical engineering, real estate, investment, securities analysis) were available. It worked with the PC-100A, which enabled it to print alphanumeric messages.
The major shortcoming of the T158 was its inability to retain information when it was turned off. Thus, the T159, equipped with continuous memory, was a vast improvement.
More information about the TI58 and TI59 can be found on the following website.
The major shortcoming of the T158 was its inability to retain information when it was turned off. Thus, the T159, equipped with continuous memory, was a vast improvement.
More information about the TI58 and TI59 can be found on the following website.
ProvenanceFrom the Mineralogical Museum, Harvard University.
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Date: circa 1980
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Date: 1973
Accessories: black vinyl, leatherized case with belt hanging clip on back and zipper; instruction booklet inside case
Object number: 1991-5-0001
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Date: circa 1977
Accessories: cardboard cards in slots of plastic sleeves
Object number: 1998-1-1488
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Date: circa 1985
Object number: 1998-1-0576
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Date: circa 1964
Object number: 2003-1-0068a
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Accessories: cover and cord
Object number: 2016-1-0002
Commodore International
Date: 1982-1985
Accessories: four-shelf computer rack (2003-1-0239a); commodore video monitor (2003-1-0239b); magnetic temperature monitor (2003-1-0239c); pulse timer (2003-1-0239d); Panasonic dot-matrix printer (2003-1-0239f); two cyclotron lead bricks (2003-1-0239g, h); cardboard box with printer paper (2003-1-0239i); user's guide for commodore 64 with instructions for use, connections, installation, and service (stored next to the commodore video monitor on top shelf of computer rack); user's guide for commodore 1541 with instructions for use, maintenance, connection, installation, and service (stored next to the commodore video monitor on top shelf of computer rack); ten floppy discs stored in a cardboard box on top of external disk drive
Object number: 2003-1-0293e
Iomec, Incorporated - Digitronics Division
Date: circa 1974
Accessories: paper punch-tape program stored in a plastic bag with the instrument
Object number: 1998-1-0017
Magellan Systems Company
Date: 1995
Accessories: original cardboard storage box
lanyard strap
user's guide
quick reference guide
packing list and address label (in instrument file)
two film negatives and corresponding color photos (in instrument file)
Object number: 1996-1-0019
Apple Computer Inc.
Date: 1994
Accessories: labeled brown cardboard box from an identical model; keyboard with built-in connection cable in separate cardboard storage box [see 2000-1-0036b]; desktop mouse with connection cable; black power supply cable; white monitor connection cable; Power Mac user's guide and CD ROM user's guide; instruction manual (in object file)
Object number: 2000-1-0036a
Hammond Typewriter Company
Date: circa 1923
Accessories: four Hammond type shuttles for different type faces, each with a wooden storage box; four laminated paper rectangles with symbol placement guide; instruction book, instruction sheets, advertisements, and correspondence (in object file)
Object number: 1996-1-0373
Bowmar/Ali Inc.
Date: circa 1974
Accessories: black imitation leather carrying case with perimeter zipper; power supply cord attached to transformer plug
Object number: 1990-7-0003