5000 years and counting: the history of the pocket calculator
About
This will be an interactive event in two parts. The first part will be a talk of about 55 minutes, synopsis below. The second part will combine refreshments with a chance to view the Speaker's calculator collection and for attendees to show off their own favourite calculator(s).
Everyone will be encouraged to debate topics like which company made the best calculators, in which exam/work task/domestic duty did a calculator help you the most and was Reverse Polish a godsend or the devil's work. The Speaker will be mounting a stern defence of Reverse Polish notation so come along and take sides.
Bringing a calculator to the event is not compulsory but is very much encouraged.
When James Gentles worked for Hewlett Packard (HP) employees could buy HP equipment at cost price. In the days before computers and printers one of the few worthwhile purchases was a pocket calculator. That is how James's fascination with calculators and his collection of electronic calculators started.
HP was a great innovator, taking a leading role in the Electronic calculator design and manufacture from the 1970s through to today. James was able to build up a collection of HP calculators ranging from the first scientific pocket calculator to one that could land a Space Shuttle (in an emergency!)
Aids for calculation have been around for 5000 years. From beads in the far east through the abacus and Napier's Bones through to modern mobile phones, the technology in our pockets for calculation has changed dramatically. However, the calculator has remained a convenient tool for Natural Philosophers and Engineers to take the drudgery out of arithmetic and mathematics and has been a constant for over 5000 years.
All of the above will be mentioned in the talk but most of the time will be spent covering the period from 1972 to 2010, the golden age of the electronic calculator.
Sit back and get ready for a 5000 year journey.Expect to meet people you know - John Napier, people you should know - Jan Lukasiewicz, and people who you don’t know - Nigel Searle. They each were part of the story of the pocket calculator.
1
Continuing Professional Development
This event can contribute towards your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours as part of the IET's CPD monitoring scheme.
13 Nov 2024
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Organiser
- Scotland South East Local Network
Registration information
Please register to enable us to assess catering requirements.
If you have any questions about the event please email the organiser:
samuel.gaw@ietvolunteer.org
Speakers
James Gentles
Retired
James Gentles (73250) joined HP in June 1982, starting as a Manufacturing Engineer, and held various engineering and management positions in Manufacturing, working on Telecommunication Test Equipment to meet the needs of both analogue and digital systems.
After time as a Production Manager he returned to engineering management to spend the latter part of his career managing the smooth transition of new products from R&D designs into manufacturable products.
After a short period as a contractor James left HP (then called Agilent) in August 2010 and was on the Queensferry site for the last working day. He then ran a microbusiness making photographic and camera accessories for the professional camera and film industries until he retired three years ago.
Reasons to attend
This event will allow you to hear a very knowledgeable speaker explaing the history of one of the everyday items everyone has used and continues to use, often daily.
The format of the event encourages attendee participation and provides an opportunity for a very enjoyable afternoon where you will pick up information you didn't know you didn't know.
Programme
1400 Event start - talk
1500 - Refreshments, debate, show & tell
1600 - Event finish