Computers, Pocket

Generally, calculators are used to perform basic mathematical calculations, while computers are more powerful and capable of running programs. Pocket calculators are included in the following descriptions even though by strict definition they are not computers.

In the early 1970s “pocket” or as they were sometime called “handheld” calculators and computers were introduced, and became readily available by the mid 1970’s.They were small and portable and could easily be carried to the field in a pocket of a surveyor’s vest. The small mechanical Curta calculator that surveyors used in the field was soon relegated to posterity.

The first pocket calculators performed only basic calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Soon trigonometric functions were added which saved carrying a book of functions to he field. As more functionality was added, such as programming, surveyors used them in the field and in the office.

Many companies produced and marketed these early pocket calculators and computers: Texas Instruments, Sharp, Sears, Radio Shack and others. However, for land surveyors those produced by Hewlett- Packard eventually came to the forefront.

The Society has a number of these pocket computers in their collection.