HP-34C

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Part of the series of HP calculators.

HP-34C Calculator

HP-34C Continuous Memory Calculator(Produced circa 1980) was Hewlett Packard's first constant (HP called it "continuous") memory calculator. Similar to the HP 33 series ^[1] of that time in programming capability, it was differentiated by the fact that programs and storage were maintained in memory when the calculator was turned off.

Significant to the HP-34C calculator was the capability for integration and root finding (a first for any pocket calculator)^[2]. Integration and root finding worked by having the user input a formula as a program. Multiple roots are found using the technique of first finding a root, then dividing the equation by (1-root value), thus driving the solution of the equation away from the root at that point. This technique for multiple root finding is referred to as "deflation" ^[3]. The user would usually programatically recall the root value from a storage register to improve its precision.

The HP34C shipped with an "applications" manual that included two games (Moon Rocket Lander, Nimb). This made the calculator probably one of the first pocket game computers ever invented. The winner was announced by turning the display upside down and the words BLISS or LOSE (55178 or 3507) were written. A game of blackjack was easily programmable in the 'vast' amount of memory by converting some of the registers to lines of program.

The calculator endured many long years of useful life and was superseded by the HP-15C and the HP-41C.

Other photos: [1]