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DATAMATH CALCULATOR MUSEUM

Texas Instruments TI-58

Date of introduction:	May 24, 1977	Display technology:	LED-stick
New price:	$124.95, £99.95	Display size:	10 + 2
Size:	6.4" x 3.2" x 1.5"
Weight:	8.5 ounces	Serial No:	91970
Batteries:	BP1A	Date of manufacture:	wk 45 year 1977
AC-Adapter:	AC9131 or DC9105	Origin of manufacture:	Netherland
Precision:	13	Integrated circuits:	TMC0501E, TMC0582, TMC0583, TMC0571, 2*TMC0598
Memories:	0-60
Program steps:	480-0	Courtesy of:	Joerg Woerner

Introduced together with the legendary TI-59 these calculators introduced a novelity, the Solid State Software Modules™ with up to 5000 program steps. On the backside of the TI-58/59 you'll notice a small lid with a place for a module. The Master Library with 25 different programs was included, a lot of other modules were available.

Compared with the SR-56 the memory space was raised by a factor of four, sporting up to 60 memories or 480 program steps. A new flexible aproach allowed the conversion of 1 memory to 8 program steps, base configuration was 30 memories and 240 program steps. Read more about your first steps of programming this calculator here.

If you are interested in the calculating accuracy of scientific calculators don't miss the Calculator forensics.

Both TI-58 and TI-59 carried the connector to the printing cradle, these calculators work on the PC-100A, PC-100B and PC-100C revision.

The TI-58 was soon replaced by the TI-58C with a continous memory. You could switch of the calculator and maintain your programs.

Due to the innovative module concept this calculator was used a lot for application specific purposes. To give an idea of this products view an insurance fee calculators from Allianz, the CAL-Q-TAX and incotax or the USMC HARRIER calculator. Even Texas Instruments sold a specialized product with the TI-58 Marine Navigation. The Aviation Modul changed the TI-58 to an Air Navigation Computer competing with the Commodore N-60, Heathkit OCW-1401 and the navtronics 16.
A colourful calculator appeared with the Pool Water Analysis module.

Don't miss the TI-74S with a similar concept of customized modules or the TI-88.

The TI-58 was mentioned in TI's press release dated August 15, 2002 to celebrate the 35th anniversary of its invention of the electronic calculator.

Emulating a TI-58/59

If you don't own a TI-58/59 calculator - emulate it !

If you have additions to the above article please email: joerg@datamath.org.