HP Calculators Classic Series - My Journey

[@commtechengineer612]

There has always been something special about HP calculators. They were made by engineers for engineers.

[@WillemSandfort]

Hey, I also gather these great Calculators. I have almost every HP scientific calculator in best or NOS condition in my collection. I startet with the HP-48SX in 1989 for my academic studies of computer science. Unfortunately I threw it away after more than 10 years because the display was defect. That was years later still a trauma for me, so I began to buy a new (NOS) one. And than I started buying one after the other - the older ones also. I have also HP-85 A and B and a HP-87 desktop computers and some of the peripheral devices. Especially all the peripherals for the HP-41. I have also HP-46 desktop calculator which makes noises you can't believe.

[@h111551]

I remember when the first Texas Instrument calculators first came out at about $800. As somebody who intentionally only took math courses taught by the football coaching staff who had nicknames like Moose and Stretch, calculators were a revelation. In addition to taking us down memory lane, you point out that the possibilities of collecting and focused appreciation are not limited to the usual suspects. I regret that I did not keep the early computers I had through the years starting with the Kaypro in an oscillator case running on the CPM operating system with a weird screen with virtually no definition. I have the same regret with various iterations of my beloved Blackberry. A dedicated keyboard for emailing remains divinely inspired and touch keyboards on my iPhone and iPads are poor substitutes for the discrete keys and feel of the Blackberry. It is before 7:00 am but I will toast both this wonderful video and its creator when cocktail hour comes around this evening. This is a magnificent combination of historical overview and personal essay. What fun!

[@matthewdavis8199]

I'll drink to that!

[@artl52]

Thx Howard. I too traveled that same road - Atari computer which soon became a front end to a CP/M system, then Kaypro (sewing machine size heavy box ha ha). Of course, with CP/M and then later early MS-DOS systems, learning and using Wordstar was de rigueur! The early interest in Atari computers led me to join a Users Group, then become editor of their newsletter then a 15 year part-time gig as a computer magazine writer- culminating late 1980s-mid 1990s as East Coast editor of PC Laptop magazine. This WERE fun days with early calculator and computer technology. BTW, I remember as you probably do, pre-Blackberry, the Palm Pilot. What a innovation that was albeit short-lived.

[@RobertLeeAtYT]

I think the pinnacle of usability is the 15C. This is from my informal collection of a 28C, 41CV, 48 and the re-released 35S a few years back. I've had the 15C for 40 years now. It's still on my office desktop.

[@MrKentaroMotoPI]

The Voyager Series - including the 15C - appeared when the use of video computer terminals became common. The two were, and are, perfect companions since the calculator can be held, and used, in both hands in front of the monitor where it is frequently needed.

[@chris-non-voter]

I'm a designer of over 50 years experience in the oil and gas industry - offshore subsea. I own 3 HP41s, 67 and 97 all working except card the readers and I'm still using them to this day. It's a pity someone hasn't made an SD card interface to plug into the expansion slot of the HP 41CX. That would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the video.

[@SteveSim99]

A very enjoyable video with great detail! I bought my first HP, a HP-25, in 1977. I used that HP-25 for almost 10 years through High School, college and at my first job as an Electrical Engineer. It still works as good as the day I bought it. At my next job (which lasted over 30 years) I used a HP-11C, HP-28C, HP-28S and finally a HP-48SX. I used that HP-48SX for over 27 years as my primary engineering calculator. The HP motto "HP Calculators fill real needs. And they provide lasting value." was very real to me.

[@randybrickson4290]

Nice, Art. I use an HP 12c daily. Like my watch, I feel naked if I don't have it on my person or within arm's reach. In contrast, I really don't care if my phone is nearby or not. Probably happier if it's out of sight. The funny thing about my 12c is that there is no way I could verbalize how I do many of the calculations I routinely do. But there's no doubt it's an impressively economical and elegant tool. Watching this video made me realize that there's a natural affinity between purposeful, well-designed watches and purposeful, well-designed calculators like the HP.

[@artl52]

Thx for watching Randy. I think your “purposeful” comment captures my feelings nicely.

[@robenroute]

Thanks for sharing this trip down memory lane… I’ve owned several and luckily still own my trusty 41CX and 42s. Nothing comes close to the old craftsmanship exuded by those HP calculators. I also dabbled with synthetic programming, bought the CCD module (from Germany if I remember correctly) and some other more exotic add-ons. I also still have my 71B with the Forth/Assembler module; still in excellent nick. Reading up on RPN also made me discover Forth; I still think Forth is, in addition to Smalltalk, one of the most elegant programming languages in existence. I’ve used TI calculators, Casios and others, but after getting introduced to RPN (on a 34C, in the early 80’s), I’ve never used anything else but RPN. I’ve been using iPhones for the last ten years or so and the very first thing I do is install the Free42s app for everyday calculations. Perhaps a bit strange, but I always thought HP calculators, the manuals that came with them and all accessories had a long-lasting, particular smell about them. I loved (and miss!) that smell. Thanks again!

[@kurtbauer1627]

Hi Arthur! Just came across this video whilst cruising around tonight. You've got some goodies there! Thanks! I'm hoping you're well.

[@foomoo1088]

HP 41 CV ! Best ever baby!!!

[@CalculatorObsessed]

Neat journey. My favourite is the HP-45 due to the undocumented and horrendously unreliable timer function.

[@kimchee94112]

I could at one time could do everything with the with 3 digit accuracy slide rule that the HP-35 could except add and subtract. The 35 is pretty basic, could learn it within a day, the HP-15c was light years ahead and cost about $75 at the time. The problem with the 35 is the battery pack not available (the power supply pretty hard to find as well) and the flicky sliding on/off switch. I have the 35 now, couldn't afford it then.

[@unlvqasl]

Several years ago my HP45 stopped working. One row of the keyboard did not work and my battery pack was dead. I still kept everything however including the case and manual. I recently found someone who fixes HP calculators so for about $100 I got my calculator fixed including a new rechargeable battery pack. I am now in calculator heaven.

[@f.a.j.4685]

Thanks 👍

[@adumont]

Where is part I? Maybe you could link it in the description. I really enjoyed this video and I'd love to watch part I. Cheers!

[@artl52]

Thx for watching. I am working on finishing Part 1.

[@devildog835]

I just bought an 11C at a thrift store for 1$