Posted on 10/24/2019 7:07:53 PM PDT by DoodleBob
The 12c calculator from Hewlett-Packard is one of those products that is so ubiquitous and familiar that you almost forget it exists, yet at the same time is so different that there's almost nothing like it. Whenever someone pulls it out of a drawer or pocket to do a calculation, no matter how trivial, you know you are dealing with a professional. Remarkably, it has been in continuous production for over 35 years, with very few changes. While there are now fancier and in some ways more sophisticated calculators, such as with screens for doing graphs, the 12c remains a cult status symbol for professionals.
And people really bond with their 12c's. I'm reminded of the chant from the movie Full Metal Jacket, when the recruits are first learning to use their rifles:
“This is my rifle. There are many like it but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. Without me, my rifle is useless. Without my rifle I am useless.”
The 12c has much the same aura: They are mass-manufactured, yet individual. Learning to use it well involves a pretty steep curve, and, like a sophisticated piece of software, the learning curve keeps going as you get better, egging you on to dive deeper, deeper. For accountants and other financial professionals who need to go beyond basic adding and subtracting, there's a host of sophisticated functionality. Amortization? Yes. Compound interest? Certainly. Calculating Net Present Value and Bond yields? Of course.
Toda the 12c can be bought for under $50. But when it was launched on September 1, 1981, it retailed for $150 (equivalent to over $400 today). Even at that price it was an instant success.
(Excerpt) Read more at massmadesoul.com ...
My teacher was the legendary Gene Buzzard. Year after year placing in the ACS contest.
Hey I had one of these in late high school and college. Great calculator with more of a financial focus. I was Acctg/Business so it was useful. Loved it.
But, it has all those “woke” pronouns:
Tan, Cos, Sin, and even X<>Y for the gender fluid, or whatever they are.
Guess I do not understand, what does a “math program” have to do with how you use a calculator to solve an equation or calculate something?
Had one for many years.
Minor gripe about being first with RPN but overall an article that brought a smile and warm memory. My first HP calculator was the 25. Loved it but hated losing the program when it was turned off. Bought its CMOS successor, the 25C, as soon as it was released. Had and taught classes on the 12C, unreal ability for its time, not surprised it is still going.
Have had scads of HP’s since, it was an addiction! Still have my 200lx and an HP-Prime along with the ‘i41CX+’ app on my iPad & iPhone.
Are there any other FReepers who have a Curta ‘peppermill’ mechanical calculator out there? Now this is one absolutely amazing piece of equipment, it actually feels good working a calculation!
Has anyone found good Windows PC software that does RPN?
I have used this calculator since it came out. It saved me many work hours doing loan analysis in banking. A superior little machine.
I’ve had one for 30 years! I love it!! I’m in commercial RE
I am stuck with a 12c because they haven’t made an HP 33c in ages and ages. Nobody makes an engineering calculator I like. I LOVED my HP 33c.
My favorite caculator of all time by a mile. Love that one.
Sorry, I'm Mac-centric since 2006 so I can't say.
That’s impressive.
The iphone calculator app Pcalc has an RPN option. I am hooked on RPN.
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pcalc/id284666222
It's my story and I'm sticking to it. :-)
I’ll take a HypSin (Hip sin) ....
http://www.abc.net.au/science/moon/computer.htm
https://www.hpmuseum.org/cgi-sys/cgiwrap/hpmuseum/archv007.cgi?read=14383
I can’t stand any calculator with an “=” key.
RPN does have a learning curve, but once you master it, you won’t want to use anything else.
I’ve had a couple of Curtas. Very cool device. I sold both of them at a huge profit.
I currently have a 15C (a Christmas gift from my dad), a 35 and a 45 acquired second hand. I bought a 45 when it first hit the market, but it died.
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