Old PDA and Calculators

The ”Old PDAs and Calculators” category explores the history of pocket-sized computing and the technological advancements that led to the modern smartphone. These devices represent the era when computing moved from the desktop to the palm of the hand, focusing on portability, mathematical precision, and mobile productivity.

The collection features a wide array of devices, spanning from early mechanical and electronic calculators to the sophisticated Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) of the 1990s and early 2000s. Having tracked the development of computing since 1985, I have documented how these specialized tools integrated into daily professional and personal life.

Key areas of the collection include:

• Electronic Calculators: Early LED and LCD models from the 1970s and 1980s, including scientific and financial calculators from manufacturers like Hewlett-Packard, Texas Instruments, and Casio. These machines showcased the shift from simple arithmetic to complex programmable functions.

• Early Handheld Computers: Devices that bridged the gap between calculators and computers, such as the Sharp and Casio pocket computers, which allowed for BASIC programming on the move.

• The PDA Era: A look at the pioneers of digital organization, including the Psion organizers, PalmPilot series, Apple Newton, and early Windows CE devices. These units introduced stylus-based input, handwriting recognition, and early mobile synchronization.

The devices in this section illustrate the rapid miniaturization of hardware—from the transition of physical buttons to touchscreens and the development of long-lasting battery technology. Preserving these handheld devices offers a perspective on how the constraints of size and power influenced software design and user interface history.