In 1963, Friden EC-130 overtook ANITA with an all-transistor design, able to stack 13 digit numbers on a 5 inch cathode ray tube. ANITA weighed 33 pounds but was quiet and quick, which made her an instant success. The first all-electronic desktop calculator was the British Bell Punch/Sumlock Comptometer ANITA, which used vacuum tubes, cold-cathode tubes, and Dekatrons in its circuits. The Intel 4004, which was developed by Intel for Busicom, helped propel such development. The first solid state electronic calculator became available in the early 1960s, though pocket-size calculators were not available to the public until the 1970s. In 1957, the Model 14-A, released by Casio, came onto the scene-a mostly electric calculator that utilized relay technology and was built into a desk. In the 40s and 50s, mainframe computers were mainstream, using vacuum tubes and then transistors in their logic circuits.
If you’ve ever flipped your calculator upside down to write hello to a friend, this one’s for you. From figuring out what sort of tip you need to leave to advancing humankind, the electronic calculator is here to stay. And sure, you may not use it every day, but the calculator remains invaluable, no matter who you are. While you may think of it as a simple machine, a calculator is so important that your smartphone-a device with internet access, a camera, Bluetooth, and a speaker-comes with one already installed.
Cool Calculation: The First Electronic Calculator