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Feb 1, 1972 HP35 Calculator

Posted by Clarence Klassen on January 30, 2012

The first scientific calculator was introduced by HP February 1, 1972. That was the HP35 and included trigonometric and logarithmic functions. An alternative to the slide rule.

At the time there was no market for scientific calculators. Estimates indicated a market of perhaps 10,000 units per year. 10,000 units were sold in the first month, 100,000 in the first year.

I remember the impact. I began my engineering studies in 1975, just 3 years later. The first week we had a very democratic vote to permit the use of calculators in tests and  exams.

I learned to use a slide rule in junior high school. In 1975 I purchased my first calculator and gave up on the slide rule. This was a tool that worked and I loved it. My first electronic calculator lasted 6 years, all through university and into the start of my career. I needed to change the battery pack several times.

The HP35 was announced as an IEEE Milestone in 2009. It was the also first calculator to fly in space.

Check out the online Museum of HP Calculators.

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  • Feb 1, 1972 HP35 Calculator

Comments

#332 David Roisum
Thursday, February 02, 2012 9:21 AM
I was passable on an abacus and am still proficient on a slide rule (they are still used by old-school pilots because they are faster and more reliable). Yet, I was the very first to use a scientific calculator in my college. This was the Bowmar Brain and in some ways better than the slightly predating HP35. It started immense discussion on whether it should be allowed on tests (not initially) and homework (how could you stop it?).

Fast forward 30 years and my son is in school. Calculators were allowed on tests, but they could not have/use memory (to prevent storing/recalling the equivalent of writing the answers on your hand). I have no idea how they could possibly police this. Now, we face a different divide between the haves and the have nots. It is those children that have access to a broadband connection, computer and ample software at home that have an even greater advantage than the have nots than we ever had with a mere scientific calculator.

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Blogmaster

Clarence Klassen photo

Clarence Klassen

President. Designated Consulting Engineer with Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO). KlassENgineering was incorporated in 1999. Clarence applies 31 years in the Pulp and Paper industry to solving problems with drives for web handling. He has 10 years experience as a drives engineer with GE Canada and 10 years experience with Opcode Systems Inc., a PLC and Drives Systems Integrator. Much of Clarence's experience was gained in onsite installation of new equipment and troubleshooting of existing equipment. KlassENgineering performs Pre-Start Health and Safety Reviews as required by the Ontario Ministry of Labour.