Here’s a look at the key events in the invention and evolution of handheld electronic calculators, software and related products from TI.
1967
TI invents the world’s first handheld electronic calculator
While small enough to fit into the palm of a hand, the Cal-Tech is powerful enough to perform basic math functions.
1972
TI’s first handheld calculator hits the retail market
The revolutionary technology of the single-chip TI-2500 Datamath™ calculator makes everyday math accessible. Capable of performing addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, it features a red, eight-digit LED display.
1974
TI introduces its first scientific calculator
The TI SR-50 adds trigonometric and hyperbolic functions to the technology available on the TI-2500 Datamath™ calculator, as well as logarithms and their inverses.
1981
TI’s first solar-powered handheld calculator debuts
TI harnesses the energy of the sun with the TI-1766, bringing to market its first solar-powered handheld calculator.
1987
TI releases its first calculator designed with teacher assistance
The TI-12 Math Explorer — the first TI calculator designed in partnership with teachers to meet the needs of elementary and middle-school classrooms — is introduced.
1990
TI unveils its first graphing calculator
Designed for use in algebra and precalculus courses, the TI-81 graphing calculator becomes the industry leader in handheld graphing technology.
1994
TI introduces the CBL™ data collection device
The Calculator-Based Laboratory (CBL™) System — a portable and versatile data-collection device for math and science — opens the door for students to collect and analyze real data in the classroom.
1995
TI launches its first calculator with a built-in Computer Algebra System (CAS)
The revolutionary TI-92 tool with a built-in Computer Algebra System (CAS) combines the power of a computer lab and the independence of a calculator with many capabilities that had been available only in computers and mathematics software.
1996
TI introduces a graphing calculator that supports statistics and finance
TI adds advanced functionality for statistics and finance to the TI-82 graphing calculator by introducing the TI-83 graphing calculator, which becomes a popular programming platform for students.
1998
TI integrates Flash™ ROM technology into its calculators
With the incorporation of state-of-the-art Flash™ ROM memory into the TI-73 Explorer™ and TI-89 Titanium graphing calculators, students can upgrade the software on their calculators and customize them by adding apps.
1999
TI releases the TI-83 Plus graphing calculator
Updated with Flash™ ROM technology, new applications and six times the memory of the popular TI-83, the easy-to-use TI-83 Plus graphing calculator lets students graph and compare functions, as well as perform data plotting and analysis using TI’s handheld CBL™ device.
2001
TI enters the connected classroom market
The TI-Navigator™ Classroom Learning System — a classroom network connecting students’ calculators — lets teachers see in real time where students are struggling, allowing them to adjust instruction on the spot.
2004
TI introduces the TI-84 Plus graphing calculator
In a progression from the TI-83 Plus, the TI-84 Plus graphing calculator offers improved connectivity by adding a USB port, allowing for direct data transfer between computers and calculators. Other enhancements include a high contrast LCD display, faster processor, more memory, an internal clock and available kickstand.
2007
TI reveals the TI-Nspire™ graphing calculator
With a major leap forward in calculator design, the TI-Nspire™ handheld introduces an interface more similar to the operation of a personal computer, allowing students to display multiple representations on a single screen, explore cause-and-effect scenarios and save work.
2011
TI unveils its first full-color graphing calculators with 3D and connected classroom capabilities
With the TI-Nspire™ CX and TI-Nspire™ CX CAS handhelds, students can import images and graph in 3D – allowing them to interact with math and visualize data in multiple ways. Using the TI-Nspire™ CX Navigator™ System, teachers can connect to — and wirelessly monitor — students’ work, assess their understanding in real time, and send, collect, grade and save students’ work.
2013
TI introduces apps for iOS devices
Building on the innovation of the TI-Nspire™ graphing calculator — TI’s most powerful handheld technology — the TI-Nspire™ App for iPad® and TI-Nspire™ CAS App for iPad® are launched, making teaching and learning math more engaging, meaningful and fun.
2013
TI introduces the world’s first talking graphing calculator
With functionality identical to the TI-84 Plus, the Orion TI-84 Plus talking graphic Calculator levels the playing field for students who are blind or visually impaired, giving them access to the same graphing technology their classmates use.
2015
TI introduces the TI-84 Plus CE graphing calculator
Thirty percent thinner and lighter than the TI-84 Plus, with six times the memory and a powerful rechargeable battery, the slim, sleek TI-84 Plus CE is made available in a variety of bold colors.
2016
TI unveils a new STEM solution — the TI-Innovator™ Hub with TI LaunchPad™ Board
A palm-sized box with a built-in microcontroller, the TI-Innovator™ Hub plugs into a TI-84 Plus CE or TI-Nspire™ CX graphing calculator and places the power of coding and engineering design into the hands of students. Created using the TI LaunchPad™ Board, the TI-Innovator™ Hub employs the same technology used by leading engineers around the world to design cutting-edge products, from smartwatches to 3D printers.
2017
TI rolls out the TI-Innovator™ Rover robotic vehicle
Rover makes learning a moving experience by creating fun, new ways to explore math and science. As students write and refine programs to control the vehicle, they engage in lively, collaborative problem-solving, and take the first steps toward more advanced robotics and STEM explorations. Students program Rover with TI-84 Plus CE or TI-Nspire™ CX graphing calculators, and a TI-Innovator™ Hub translates the code to control the vehicle.
2019
TI introduces TI-Nspire™ CX II and TI-Nspire™ CX II CAS graphing calculators
With the familiar functionality of the TI-Nspire™ CX family of graphing calculators, these updated handhelds offer faster performance, fresh new features and easier-to-read graphics, creating more opportunities for hands-on engagement. In addition, the TI-Nspire™ CX II CAS graphing calculator can reduce syntax errors, as well as easily disable algebraic functionality.
Python programming was added in 2020
2021
TI presents the TI-84 Plus CE Python graphing calculator
The newest addition to the TI-84 Plus CE graphing family, the TI-84 Plus CE Python graphing calculator builds on the familiarity of the TI-84 Plus CE and enhances it with the power of Python programming. This fast-growing, easy-to-learn coding language is used in a variety of industries, allowing students to prepare for 21st-century careers.
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