I appreciate the history and journey of compute, having been drawn to emerging electronics since grade school when having a few minutes at a time sharing terminal was hard to get, and a big deal. Early on, this interest ranged from early electronic calculators, to the rise of the PC era (TI-58C, VIC-20, Commodore 64, Atari 400, Apple II+, Mac Plus, NeXT Cube, and so on…) This past month, I found an inexpensive TI-3500 calculator on eBay (a bargain, less than $40), introduced in 1972. This model, from what I have read, is Texas Instruments’ first consumer scale electronic calculator. It has a ‘Panaplex’ display with a soft golden glow reputedly powered at 150 volts. I would recommend this vintage model if you want a desktop calculator that provides an above average user experience for what it does from any other compute you have in your modern office. The eBay auction for this unit included the original box, manual, brochure, an original purchaser receipt and a letter from 'John R. Brougher Jr', a Texas Instruments executive describing how this electronic calculator would become a dependable unit for years to come. Intrigued, I wondered who would have bought an electronic calculator in the mid-70’s considering today’s value would cost $600-$1000+? The calculator purchaser, as best as I can tell from the receipt, was Doris H Wood, bought in Attalla, Alabama around July 1975. Searching online, possibly, she was an educator at Etowah County School System for 27 years, and a graduate of Jacksonville State where she received her master’s degree in science and education. And who sold it? The boxed calculator included a signed letter by 'John R. Brougher, Jr', a Texas Instruments executive, VP of TI’s Calculator Products Division who felt strongly enough about the value of his division’s products to include his direct office number for unresolved questions. His number was (214) 238-5438. How unique by today’s standards in an era of endless corporate robot phone trees ("we value your call, but due to above average call volume your wait time is…”) to include a letter with each electronic calculator. Searching online, indeed, John Brougher from TI was truly special: https://lnkd.in/gT6Nwfgu This research of an old eBay compute item surfaces history from its participants and their values - at least for this Texas Instruments division - providing enduring lessons on building trust around product durability, exceptional customer orientation, and doing business with unquestionable integrity. How many compute devices today do we expect to function well fifty years hence? Will your iPhone 16 compute in 2074? These vintage compute machines have many stories and lessons to share from its creators and its early day customers. At almost half a century of age, I expect this calculator will function perfectly for more years to come.