Electronic Calculators Arrive in Western Springs

In September of 1972, Texas Instruments introduced the first mass-produced, hand-held calculator, the Datamath 2500. In its day, it was considered as advanced as the iPad is today. Rechargeable and priced at $119.95, it was every student’s dream to own one.

While $119.95 might not sound like much today, in 1972 it was the equivalent of $700 today. So, school districts began experimenting with them on a limited basis.

Using problem solving kits developed by Science Research Associates, school districts began purchasing the new devices for classroom use, often just one for every four students. A sample question for “calculator equipped” students was as follows: How long would it take your heart to beat 1,000,000 times if it beats 70 times every minute?

In Western Springs, Kay Nebel was not only the principal of Laidlaw School, but also the math coordinator for the school district. And, in the mid-1970’s, she received a $105,000 federal grant for a three-year study on the effect of the calculator in classroom use.

According to newspaper accounts, one of her initial findings was that children who have difficulty with math improve when a calculator is at their side. According to Nebel, “By the fourth grade, children begin to be turned off by math because of the drudgery of adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing large numbers. But, the calculator renews their interest in the subject.”

While the Historical Society does not have a final copy of the $105,000 study, we’re sure it was money well spent. But a $119.95 investment in an early Datamath calculator is another matter. Today, they only sell for $20 on eBay.

Photo Caption:

TI’s revolutionary “Datamath” calculator – 1975

Each week, the Western Springs Historical Society presents a “Blast from the Past”. To view prior stories, visit us at www.westernspringshistory.org or just click on the author’s name shown above.