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:   (US: 2.2M Bytes) 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.

TI-58_PCB.jpg (208665 Byte)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! 


The TI Programmable 58 is featured in the Texas Instruments Incorporated bulletins CL-275 and CL-283 dated 1977.

horizontal rule

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

© Joerg Woerner, December 5, 2001. No reprints without written permission.