| Era | 1970s |
| Device type | Electronic calculator |
| Integration era | Computer age |
| Unique features | Creative designs • Modular devices |
| Early industries | Industrial design • Architecture |
| Origin countries | Japan • Switzerland |
| First notable use | Late 1960s |
| Grassroots movement | DIY pocket calculators |
| Contribution industries | Software • Coding |
The development of advanced calculators in this alternate timeline had a unique history, distinct from the trajectory it took in our world. The major milestones and events that shaped advanced calculator development were as follows:
Early development of advanced calculators was a collaboration between Japanese and Swiss engineers, which eventually led to the creation of the first prototype in 1963. This calculator, based on solid-state logic and vacuum-tube displays, was designed as a tool for engineers and researchers and quickly proved to be an invaluable asset in various technical fields.
Within a few years of the prototype's introduction, advanced calculators found widespread adoption in numerous industries, particularly industrial design and architecture. Thanks to their ability to perform complex calculations with great accuracy and speed, these industries underwent significant transformations, with advanced calculators enabling architects and industrial designers to explore new, more ambitious design philosophies. By the late 1960s, it was difficult to imagine working in these fields without an advanced calculator.
The early 1970s saw a growing interest in creating one's own electronic devices, including advanced calculators. The DIY movement, led by a group of hobbyists who shared and exchanged their designs and schematics in electronics clubs and magazines, helped popularize creative, modular pocket-sized calculators. These devices, often assembled at home using off-the-shelf components, allowed their builders to adapt their calculators to specific needs and requirements – whether it was a particular function or an aesthetically unique design.
As early personal computers began to emerge and gain popularity, advanced calculators found a new application as plug-in peripherals for these devices, alongside tools such as cassette tape drives and floppy-disk drives. With their ability to perform calculations quickly and accurately, advanced calculators went hand-in-hand with the growing capabilities of personal computers and contributed to the development of early software and coding projects – notably in fields such as engineering, finance, and science.
The development of advanced calculators had far-reaching consequences and played a significant role in the rapid proliferation of software, coding, and the rise of personal computing. Furthermore, the DIY pocket calculator movement helped foster a spirit of creativity and innovation, encouraging hobbyists and inventors to push the boundaries of personal technology – a trend that can still be seen in the modern-day maker culture.
In conclusion, the development of advanced calculators in this alternate timeline blazed a unique path, starting with a collaboration between Japanese and Swiss engineers, leading to widespread adoption in various industries, spawning a DIY movement, and ultimately, integrating with early personal computers to make significant contributions to the world of computing.
