Pocket-Sized - The Invention Of The Pocket Calculator

The pocket calculator, was a groundbreaking invention of the 20th century which transformed the world of mathematics and made complex calculations accessible to the general public,

In the early 1960s integrated circuits (ICs) and semiconductor technology developed rapidly. These provided the foundation for creating compact, battery-powered electronic devices. The first portable electronic calculator was the Sharp QT-8D, introduced by Sharp Corporation in 1969. It was still relatively cumbersome and expensive though. The true pocket calculator, emerged in 1970 with the release of the Busicom LE-120A HANDY, designed by the Japanese company Busicom and Texas Instruments. It still weighed around 750g (1.6lbs) and measured 19cm (7.6 inches) long. It used an LED display and was powered by a rechargeable battery.

This spawned a rapid proliferation of pocket calculators. Texas Instruments became a key player in the development of pocket calculator technology and released the TI-2500 Datamath in 1972. This iconic device featured an LED display and a sleek design that made it highly popular among consumers.

Mass production meant the cost of pocket calculators dropped dramatically and they were widely adopted by schools, businesses, and homes. They revolutionized the way people approached mathematical calculations, eliminating cumbersome slide rules and log tables. They allowed students to focus on understanding mathematical concepts rather than getting bogged down with manual calculations.

Nowadays we take it for granted that a calculator app is standard issue on

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every smartphone, though students still need a separate pocket calculator for GCSEs and A levels because phones are not allowed in exam rooms!