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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 (8 + 2) |
Size: | 6.4" x 3.2" x
1.5" 162 x 81 x 37 mm3 |
||
Weight: | 8.5 ounces, 240 grams | Serial No: | 91970 |
Batteries: | BP1A | Date of manufacture: | wk 45 year 1977 |
AC-Adapter: | AC9131 or DC9105 | Origin of manufacture: | Netherlands |
Precision: | 13 | Integrated circuits: | TMC0501E,
TMC0582, TMC0583,
TMC0571, 2*TMC0598 TMC0541 |
Logic: | AOS - 8 Pending Operations, 9 () | ||
Memories: | 0-60 | ||
Program steps: | 480-0 | Courtesy of: | Joerg Woerner |
Download leaflet: | ![]() |
Download manual: |
Introduced
together with the legendary TI-59 these calculators introduced a
novelty, 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.
Don't miss the even greater program collection for the TI-59 resulting from the Professional Program Exchange (PPX-59) initiative started in November 1977.
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
approach 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 sport the connector to the printing cradle, these calculators work on the PC-100A, PC-100B and PC-100C revision.
American Micro Products introduced with the Module Selector a very interesting product fitting into the charging bay of the printing cradles.
The TI-58 was soon replaced by the TI-58C with a continuous 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 Module
changed the TI-58 to an Air Navigation Computer competing with the Commodore N 60,
Heathkit OCW-1401 and the navtronics
16.
A colorful calculator appeared with the Pool
Water Analysis module. Don't miss the rare and innovative Franken-Calculator
Data Dimensioner.
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.
Andreas Gerlich scanned recently the German documentation of the TI-59, please visit his website. Thanks!
Fellow calculator collector Marek Czeszek prepared wonderful Step-by Step Instructions how to clean a TI-58.
• 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.
© Joerg Woerner, December 5, 2001. No reprints without written permission.