🧮 Fun Historical Fact: The Pocket Calculator Sparked a Space Race of Its Own!

In the early 1970s, when the first pocket calculators hit the market, they were so revolutionary that some cost more than a used car—up to $400 (which is over $2,500 today, adjusted for inflation). But here’s the kicker: Japan and the U.S. were in a fierce race—not for space this time, but for calculator supremacy.

Companies like Texas Instruments and Sharp were in a technological arms race to make calculators smaller, faster, and cheaper. This competition led to rapid innovation in microprocessors and LCD displays—the same tech that would later power personal computers and smartphones.

So in a way, your calculator didn’t just crunch numbers—it helped launch the digital age. 🚀