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Texas Instruments Speak & Math (Type 1)

Date of introduction:	1980	Display technology:	Fluorescent
New price:		Display size:	9 alphanumeric
Size:	10.0" x 7.0" x 1.3" 254 x 177 x 34 mm³
Weight:	16.7 ounces, 474 grams	Serial No:	532245
Batteries:	4*C cells	Date of manufacture:	wk 37 year 1981
AC-Adapter:	AC9199	Origin of manufacture:	USA
Precision:		Integrated circuits:	TMC0270/CD2704, CD2801, CD2392, CD2393
Memories:
Program steps:		Courtesy of:	Joerg Woerner
		Download manuals:	(US: 3.0M Bytes) (US: 2.9M Bytes)

Shortly after the invention of the synthesizer technology to reproduce human speech with tuned voices stored in ROMs (Read-only Memories - Integrated Circuits), Texas Instruments introduced this innovative product. The idea behind this product was similar to other mathematic games like the DataMan: Solve easy calculations during an interesting game. More than 100,000 random and preprogrammed problems are stored in the ROMs. Math games such as "Number Stumper" help stimulate logical thinking. "Greater than/less than" exercises build the ability to compare number values.

This educational toy was rated by Texas Instruments for children aged between 6 and 12 years.

An alphanumeric display was used as feedback during typing words.

Other products in the Speak & line cover spelling and reading words. Compare this Speak & Math with both Speak & Spell and Speak & Read.

Don't miss the appearance of the Speak & Spell in the movie „E.T. - The Extra-Terrestrial“. Do you know Qubais Reed Ghazala? Get more tunes from your Speak & Math with circuit-bending.

Dismantling this Speak & Read manufactured in October 1980 by Texas Instruments in the United States reveals a design centered around four Integrated Circuits:

• TMC0270/CD2704: 4-bit microcontroller with 2k*9 Bits ROM and 9*64 Bits RAM
• TMC0280/CD2801: TMS5100 VSP (Voice Synthesis Processor)
• TMC0350/CD2392, TMC0350/CD2393: TMS6100 VSM (Voice Synthesis Memory) with 128k Bits, each

The Speech-ROMs of the Speak & Math vary depending on the production date. Starting in 1981 the overall capacity was significantly reduced, differences in the word list and voice tunes are not known:

• 1980: TMC0350/CD2392 + TMC0350/CD2393 for a combined 256k Bits
• 1981: TMC0350/CD2381 + TMC0355/CD2614 for a combined 160k Bits

An inside view of some dismantled Speak & Spell products could be found here.

A compact version of the Speak & Math without display was sold in France (le Calcul magique), Germany (Mathe-Fix) and Italy (Dotto Contaparla).

Don't miss the rare Les Maths Magiques sandwiched between the Speak & Math and the Speak & Spell Compact.

View the more serious Language products like the Language Tutor.

Press the Play button and listen Speak & Spell tunes.
Find more sound samples in the DOWNLOAD section.
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This Speak & Math is an early one. Please notice the gold lettered "Texas Instruments" on the display screen and the large "TI" logo on the keyboard. Later models got a slightly different design. Compare a later model here. In the United Kingdom an identical product was sold as Speak & Maths.

Don't miss the rare Magic Wand Speaking Reader. This product came out shortly before Texas Instruments discontinued its Consumer Products Division in 1983.

Later the Super Speak & Math was introduced with a multiline LC-display.

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