This thread about geezers and calculators reminded me of my
first calculator.  I was about to start analyzing the data
for my dissertation and wanted a calculator to help with
some post hoc tests after the output from those BMD ANOVAs
we got from the CDC-6400 at the computer center.  The local
K-Mart had a few Summit calculators on display.  One, priced
at $56, had the four functions and nothing else.  It was about
3" X 5" and about 1.25" thick.  It had a rechargeable battery
and a fake leather carrying case.  Another, priced at about $115,
looked the same, but it had three little extra buttons up on
the top edge (on the 1.25" side) that allowed you to compute
a reciprocal, a square, and a square root.  It also had a
really great feature on the front with those regular function
keys; a MEMORY!  A very rude and stupid sales clerk, after
refusing to answer my questions about the calculators, quoted
me a price of $56 for for the model with the extra function
keys, so I took him up on it.  I used to get such guilty
satisfaction when I used that thing; only $56 for such a
great tool.  I can't believe now that I spent so much of my
meager funds on that calculator.  Last week, while buying a
replacement cartridge for my printer (for $28), I saw and
purchased a Casio calculator as a backup.  It has 250 functions,
including nice stat functions, and cost $8.99.  I still have
that old Summit stashed away somewhere, but it finally gave out
about 5 years ago.

Tim


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  Tim Gaines                            [EMAIL PROTECTED]
  Professor of Psychology               phone:  864-833-8349
  Presbyterian College                  fax:  864-833-8481
  Clinton, SC  29325
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