It’s hard to imagine that a calculator emulator would be a fun tool. But the new calculator collection that the Internet Archive has started to offer takes some classic calculators out of their plastic cases and takes us on a nostalgic journey into the past.
The Internet Archive calls this new collection The Calculator Drawer. There are 14 calculators in this “drawer” to choose from, including the HP 48GX, TI-82, TI-83 Plus, and even the Electronic Number Muncher, a toy calculator from the 80s. Internet Archive not only emulates the interface of each device, but also brings together their physical designs and buttons, making it feel as if the real device is right in front of you.
The Internet Archive offers more details on how this all works in a post on its blog. The organization uses the MAME Artwork System, an offshoot of the open-source framework that recreates classic arcade games on a variety of systems, to run their calculators.
As noted by the Internet Archive, MAME “can create an emulated device in two different ways that requires ‘additional’ drawings to enlarge its screen, or part of the device that reflects lights.” While the MAME system can create a vector-based drawing of the buttons and screen, the MAME Artwork System can render those drawings as real replaces it with an image.
In these emulators, you can click buttons to enter numbers and functions, just as you would physically press a button on a calculator with your finger. While it’s possible to use your keyboard to type numbers, it may not feel the same as the buttons don’t look like they’re being pressed.
Even having sound on some devices like the HP 48G+ is definitely a nice addition. The Internet Archive also offers a collection of original user guides if you need information on how to use these calculators.
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