In the 1970s, calculators weren't just for calculating. They were luxury items. In a world before iPods and iPhones, calculators were the first aspirational personal electronics.

Calculators 1968-1983 showcases these remarkable design objects, along with stories behind why they look and operate the way they do. And how, in just a few decades, one of the world's most important products went from indispensable to irrelevant.

The exhibit highlights more than 100 calculators, all beautiful examples of late 20th Century design.

How to Visit

Reservations are required

You can request a reservation via email. Please specify:

1. Your name
2. When you'd like to attend (see hours below)
3. How many people you're bringing
4. If you don't have all of the above info, please go ahead and request a reservation anyway!

Hours

Location

Panic Inc.
315 SW 11th Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97205

Diagonally across from Powell's Books. (Map)

Contact

Contact us via email or Twitter.

A note from the curator

Calculators 1968-1983 is put on by me, Greg Maletic. I've had a fascination with these machines since the 70s, when the calculators my dad would bring home from the office were the only computer-like things I could get my tiny hands on.

Then it all happened so quickly. In 2017 — during a fit of nostalgia — I ordered a beautiful earth-toned 1976 Texas Instruments 5100. It looked so great on my desk that I started craving more. And to my surprise, there were plenty to be found online. The collection started.

I now have more than 250 calculators from the era 1968-1983, each chosen for its beauty and design more than any particular technical attribute. It's an incredible thrill to show them off, inviting visitors into a world filled with colors and shapes and design considerations that you simply don't find today, made for people and needs that no longer exist.

And my childhood obsession still resonates: when I'm not collecting old handheld electronics, I work on new handheld electronics in the form of Playdate, a fun and charming handheld video game system that exhibits some echoes of those very first calculators.

More info

• While masks aren't required, if wearing one would make you feel safer or more comfortable, please don't hesitate to put one on.
• Still curious about what you'll see? Here is a quick video overview of the last time Calculators 1968-1983 was on display, in October 2022:

  PDX: if you have time today (Saturday), you should go look at @gregmaletic’s calculator collection set up in the Panic office. It’s really fun, and design-fascinating!
  
  Viewing times are 10—1 and 6—9:30. Just DM Greg for info! Here’s a video peek of some of it! pic.twitter.com/18KC81Opr6

  — Cabel (@cabel) October 22, 2022

• A photo gallery of some of the collection.
• The Calculators 1968-1983 Twitter account, including lots of photos of the collection. (coming soon: a Mastodon account)