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"Funny, for that much, you'd think it would be bigger.

Posted by Rick Wagoner on 15 Jan 2001, 3:30 p.m.

In the middle '70's I was a buck sgt, in the USAF. In my off time (while not keeping the country's supply of F106 fighters in good repair) I was a student at the local JC.

A buddy had shown me his HP-35 and went on to say that they had a programmable unit out too. This was the HP-65. After devouring the literature I scrimped and saved for months to get the $842 that the calculator would cost.

One day, Joy of Joys, it arrived! I took it into work to show the other Avionics troops what a marvel it was. Needless to say, there was much "ooohing" and "ahhhing" as I put the '65 through it's paces.

Somewhere during this our Maintenance Officer (a 2nd Lt.) came in. He saw the little wonder and asked to see it and was suitably impressed.

After fiddling with it for a while he asked the inevitable question:"How Much?" "$842 I replied." After considering my answer his reply was: "Funny, for that much, you'd think it would be bigger..."

I think he is still a 2nd Lt.....

Cheers!

Rick

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