1973

Bowmar Brain Calculator

The Bowmar Instrument Corporation was formed in Fort Wayne in 1951 by a former employee of the Farnsworth Television Company, Edward White, and his wife Joan. In the early 1970s Bowmar engineers realized the potential of emerging technologies and developed a new calculator design, combining Texas Instruments components and their own LED displays. By September 1971 Bowmar was manufacturing the first affordable pocket calculator. The units were made in the United States, Canada, and later in Mexico. By the end of 1971 they were producing 40,000 units per month, and for a time they dominated the market; the "Bowmar Brain" became a nationally recognized name. The com-pany was unprepared for the huge popularity of the new item and left the consumer market to due to competition. When their financial troubles subsided, Bowmar continued operations but focused more on industrial and government products than consumer electronics. This Model 90505 calculator, known as the MX50 Personal Calculator with "Omni-Constant Register" has an AC adapter on the side, operating instructions on the back and its own carrying case. The familiar LED (low energy diode) display is still common today.