High Cost of Electronics

In a recent post featuring a typewriter advertisement, the discussion turned to the high cost of electronics in past eras.

Check out the price for this early calculator. The ad dates from "the early 1970's," according to the site where I found it. The Online Inflation Calculator says:

"What cost $345 in 1974 would cost $1435.60 in 2007."

     Posted By: Paul - Tue Nov 04, 2008
     Category: Business | Products | Technology | 1970s





Comments
It's hard to believe that price in an age when $345 can get you 345 (basic) calculators.
Posted by kingmonkey in Athens, Ontario on 11/04/08 at 10:21 AM
My great grandmother did all here calculations in her head.
My grandmother used a hand operated adding machine.
My mother used an electric adding machine.
I'm using a computer.
The kids today are using telephones!
Go figure!
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 11/04/08 at 10:37 AM
It's the size of a $1... which is how much you can buy a "delux" calculator for at walmart.
Posted by KW in Dallas, TX on 11/04/08 at 10:43 AM
Expat - It sounds like your saying that as technology advances, the collective intelligence goes down.
Posted by Madd Maxx on 11/04/08 at 11:13 AM
Maxx, once when doing a loan interview with a client I reached for the calculator to add 1 (that's one) to another number! Yea, Grandma could add a column of figures faster than one could smack the keys.
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 11/04/08 at 11:32 AM
Expat, that's funny. I learned some techniques from my dad when I was younger to do math in my head. There are alot of tricks that can be learned for mental math. I'm in a job now where I work as an engineer (worked up from an operator, to a engineering tech, to a design engineer). I am not degreed but my collegues are. I can do math much faster in my head than they can. Of course they all have fancy, engineering calculaters that they pull out to do math on. Pussies!
Posted by Madd Maxx on 11/04/08 at 12:09 PM
baseman - I'll ballpark it at around $700 to $800.
Posted by Madd Maxx on 11/04/08 at 12:40 PM
I was a little off on that guess. I was a Commodore 64 guy myself.
Posted by Madd Maxx on 11/04/08 at 12:58 PM
Haven't you guys mastered pornomathematics?

If Hobo Jim thrusts at a rate of 15km/h, for a period of 78 minutes (assuming he's thinking of baseball), into Sally Saltwater, whose measurable depth is such that it will accomodate Hobo Jim fully, with a penis that is 8 inches, and assuming that at least 1 inch will remain within Sally at all times, how many thrusts will Hobo Jim perform given that he thrusts at an even rate, uninterrupted?
Posted by kingmonkey in Athens, Ontario on 11/04/08 at 03:38 PM
I'll have to ask the wise, old owl.
Posted by Madd Maxx on 11/04/08 at 03:55 PM
Maxx- don't ask him, he bites...

I used to be able to remember phone numbers of people until I got a cell phone. We use our heads when we need to but don't when we don't, I think ^_^ For tests adding up lists of 1- or small 2- digit numbers, though, I think I'm faster with my head than with a calculator. Plus, I sometimes hit the keys too fast for my clac. to keep up 😛
Posted by jswolf19 in Japan on 11/05/08 at 07:28 AM
What's with all the spam replies?
Posted by AGFH on 02/02/09 at 08:54 AM
ACK! They're back again!
Posted by AGFH on 02/03/09 at 02:57 PM
Seriously what's the point? None of us clicks on any of those links, ever
Posted by Jules in Connecticut on 02/03/09 at 03:03 PM
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