bgrier 🇨🇦 🍁

One of the joys of #tax season -- getting to choose which #Retro #Calculator to use. Though I owned a #Sharp #Elsimate back in the day (I was the nerd in high school), all were acquired more recently. I loved the aesthetic of the #TexasInstruments #Datamath (I cleaned/rebuilt the battery compartment), and the #Canon 8-T was a must have (SEXAGESIMAL CALCULATOR) for the time calculation functions. These things were GOLD back when I worked in #TV #broadcasting and had to work out segment times for TV programs, etc.

Edit: Forgot, for the Datamath, also had to design and #3dPrint the name badge as the original was lost before I acquired it. Neat exercise that, fun with miniature paint too!

#Technology #RetroTech #70s #80s

Mar 16 at 4:03pmWeb
Show threadAaron Davis4d ago
@bgrier I love those things!
Show threadbgrier 🇨🇦 🍁3d ago

@Aaron_Davis Yeah, I kinda rediscovered them during the pandemic. Had time to fix some. Were some interesting designs back in the day. I have one from Sharp that has an increment counter switch on it. Not exactly sure what edge-case it was designed for, but there sure were a lot made.

Hard to tell in the photo, but the bottom case is red, with the black front.

Show threadcody rhodes3d ago

@bgrier

That’s seriously cool! Retro calculators have a unique charm that modern devices just can’t match. The Datamath and Canon 8-T are legendary, and the fact that you restored them (and even 3D printed parts) makes it even more impressive.

Also love the broadcasting angle—sexagesimal calculations must’ve been incredibly useful back then. It really shows how these tools weren’t just gadgets, they were essential for real work.

Show threadbgrier 🇨🇦 🍁3d ago
@FinnR Yep, fun project, researching and making work. Garage sales are your friends.