The Sinclair Scientific Programmable calculator was released in mid-1975, and is housed in casing similar to the later models of the Sinclair Oxford series of calculators. In the early 1970s the handheld/pocket calculator market was moving very fast as the IC technology was improving at a similar rate. The first handheld scientific calculator (HP-35) had been released in 1972, and the first handheld programmable calculator (HP-65) had been released in 1974.

The advent of the handheld programmable calculator meant that calculators became a lot more powerful and could be used in many different applications. In an advert in New Scientist from 18th September 1975 for the 'new' Sinclair Scientific Programmable it advertises how "With a programmable calculator, the number of functions which can be performed is unlimited. It becomes a true miniature computer."

The Sinclair Scientific Programmable calculator allowed programs with up to 24 steps to be entered. It had a library of over 400 standard programs. It featured full scientific notation, with a floating-point entry option. It used reverse Polish notation entry. It had a nine-digit VFD with five-digit precision. It was powered by 9v alkaline battery or mains adaptor.

When released the Sinclair Scientific Programmable cost only £29.95 including VAT. In February 1975 the HP-65 cost £442.80 (including VAT) in the UK. However, the Sinclair model did not have the same capability or power as the HP model.

Manufacturer: Sinclair Radionics
Date: 1975

This exhibit has a reference ID of CH31308. Please quote this reference ID in any communication with the Centre for Computing History.

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