HHC 2023: In Praise of the Original TI-30 (Gene Wright) 

The TI-30 was a calculator that everyone could afford when I was in High School. It was my gateway drug to a TI-59 and then eventually to an HP-41.

I had one of these back in high school, couldn't afford the HP 25 that was available around the same time. I found a mint condition TI-30 in a thrift store a few years ago, not a scratch on it, display window with the gold trim still intact. The only issue is the keyboard is a little bouncy from non use. However today I use HP calculators, 48GX, 42S and the HP 35S. Even had a 41CV with the printer but foolishly sold it.

It was the 1st calculator ever bought at home. Back in the day in Italy I was the only one at school to have a calculator. I was 9, and I still remember the 1st calculation i did was "3 - 5 =": I discovered the existence of negative numbers.

One of my first calculators was an TI-30 Stat, a late 80s variation of the TI-30.