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DATAMATH CALCULATOR MUSEUM

SOVAC calculator by Texas Instruments

Date of introduction:	1978	Display technology:	LED-stick
New price:		Display size:	10 (8 + 2)
Size:	6.4" x 3.2" x 1.5" 162 x 81 x 37 mm³
Weight:	8.5 ounces, 240 grams	Serial No:	1029781
Batteries:	BP1A	Date of manufacture:	wk 36 year 1978
AC-Adapter:	AC9131	Origin of manufacture:	Netherlands
Precision:	13	Integrated circuits:	TMC0501E, TMC0582, TMC0583, TMC0571, 2*TMC0598 TMC0540 (ZA5506)
Logic:	AOS - 8 Pending Operations, 9 ()
Memories:	0-60
Program steps:	480-0	Courtesy of:	Marie Lisa Collas

The innovative TI-58 was the perfect base for a lot of customized calculators. This one was used from 1979 by SOVAC (Societé pour la Vente à Crédit d'Automobiles), a finance company that in the late 1920s introduced the concept of automobile financing for consumers, to calculate loans.

The idea behind these products was the novelty of the Solid State Software Modules™ with up to 5000 program steps. This software was written by the SW-engineers of SOVAC and programmed into the modules by Texas Instruments.

The customized keyboard hides most functions available on the standard TI-58 and allows only access to the basic calculator functions and the programmed functions of the SOVAC module.
Dismantling the calculator reveals a standard TI-58 calculator manufactured in August 1978.

An identical TI-58 product was known from Chrysler-Simca in France.

Compare it with a similar product by the insurance companies Agrippina, Allianz, LVM, Lloyd, Nordstern and Victoria or the CAL-Q-TAX calculator.

Another approach to customize a calculator could be found in the Goulds Pumpulator.

Tired from insurance calculators? View the USMC HARRIER calculator!

A colorful calculator appeared with the Pool Water Analysis module.

If you have additions to the above article please email: joerg@datamath.org.