• SpaceNoodle@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Not really. The first ones were quite expensive, and it was uncommon to have one on your person at all times like we now do with smartphones.

    • Rodeo@lemmy.ca
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      1 year ago

      Yes really, if your job requires lots of calculations you’d be stupid not to have one, even back when they were expensive.

      Every machinist I know, even the crusty old ones, carry a calculator in their pocket. It’s indispensable. Why wouldn’t you carry one if you need it all the time?

      • SpaceNoodle@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Pretty sure the teacher wasn’t assuming that every single child in class was going to be a machinist.

        In fact, most people aren’t machinists.

        • Rodeo@lemmy.ca
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          1 year ago

          And yet my point stands: if you need to do a lot of calculations at your job, you’d be stupid not to have a calculator in your pocket. And if you don’t, then the time it takes to find a calculator will be negligible.