---
title: FIRST TEXAS INSTRUMENTS TI-57 SALES
date: '1977-07-01'
years:
- '1977'
topics:
- Hardware
params:
  when: JULY 1977
  image: /media/history/images/texas_ti57_system_1.jpg
  oc_id: 29
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20220322023408/http://www.old-computers.com/history/detail.asp?n=29
    date: '2022-03-22'
---

![](/media/history/images/texas_ti57_system_1.jpg)

The **TI-57**, **TI-58** and **TI-59** programmable calculators were revealed to the public in May of 1977. Sales of the TI-57 started in July, and in August for the TI-58 and 59 (as we will see next month).

It will become the most sold programmable calculator in the world. Though inexpensive ($80), the TI-57 is a technological prowess. It is the only programmable calculator with all functions centralized in a single integrated circuit.

A low consumption MOS/LSI circuit does the work of 30,000 transistors. It features a 4 bits microprocessor, 50 program steps in RAM and a ROM command software. A new coding method allows to save in one programming step up to three keys entries (as in : Inv-2nd-cos).

All these characteristics are largely inspired by Hewlett Packard's latest products, HP being Texas Instrument's largest competitor in this area.

The TI-57 will also be sold through **Radio Shack** under the name of **EC-4000**.\
TI-57 production will end in 1982.

![](/media/history/images/texas_ti57_ic_1.jpg)