# Dataman

> educational toy calculator with mathematical games

**Wikidata**: [Q86751628](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q86751628)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dataman)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dataman

## Summary
Dataman is an educational toy calculator released by Texas Instruments in 1977, designed to teach children mathematical concepts through interactive games. It features a seven-segment display and was marketed as a learning tool rather than a standard calculator. The device combines calculator functionality with educational gameplay to make math practice engaging for young users.

## Key Facts
- Released in 1977 by Texas Instruments, a major American semiconductor company founded in 1930
- Designed as an educational toy calculator with mathematical games for children
- Manufactured by Texas Instruments, which employs approximately 31,000 people as of 2021
- Features a seven-segment display for showing numbers and game results
- Classified as a product model and subclass of calculator
- Has three Wikipedia language editions (English, Russian, and Commons)
- Commercialized on June 5, 1977, according to Wikipedia references
- Also known by the alias "Ti-Dataman"
- Has a dedicated Commons category for media files (TI-Dataman)

## FAQs
### Q: What is Dataman and who made it?
A: Dataman is an educational toy calculator created by Texas Instruments in 1977. It was designed to teach children mathematical concepts through interactive games rather than just performing calculations.

### Q: When was Dataman released and what was its purpose?
A: Dataman was released on June 5, 1977, as an educational tool to help children learn math through gameplay. It combined calculator functionality with educational games to make learning more engaging.

### Q: What company manufactured Dataman?
A: Dataman was manufactured by Texas Instruments, a major American semiconductor and electronics company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with approximately 31,000 employees as of 2021.

## Why It Matters
Dataman represents an important intersection between educational technology and consumer electronics in the late 1970s. As one of the early educational electronic toys, it demonstrated how calculator technology could be repurposed for learning rather than just computation. This device helped pave the way for the educational technology market by showing that electronic devices could make learning interactive and fun for children. Texas Instruments' approach with Dataman was innovative for its time, combining the practical utility of a calculator with the engagement of games to create a product that served both entertainment and educational purposes. This dual-purpose design philosophy influenced later educational electronics and helped establish Texas Instruments as a leader in educational technology products.

## Notable For
- One of the first educational toy calculators to combine gaming with mathematical learning
- Created by Texas Instruments, a pioneering semiconductor company that helped shape the calculator industry
- Featured innovative seven-segment display technology for interactive educational gameplay
- Released during the early personal electronics boom of the 1970s
- Successfully bridged the gap between toy and educational tool, influencing future educational electronics

## Body
### Technical Specifications
Dataman features a seven-segment display capable of showing numerical values and game results. The device was designed to be durable and child-friendly, with a form factor suitable for young users. As a product of Texas Instruments' calculator division, it incorporated the company's semiconductor expertise into an educational format.

### Educational Features
The calculator includes various mathematical games and exercises designed to teach basic arithmetic concepts. Unlike standard calculators of the era, Dataman's software was specifically programmed to provide interactive learning experiences rather than just calculation functions. This educational focus made it distinct from other calculators on the market.

### Historical Context
Released in 1977, Dataman came at a time when electronic calculators were becoming more affordable and widespread. Texas Instruments recognized the potential for educational applications of calculator technology and developed Dataman as a way to enter the educational toy market. The device represents an early example of edutainment - products that combine education with entertainment.

### Market Position
As a product of Texas Instruments, Dataman benefited from the company's established reputation in calculator manufacturing. The device was positioned as both a toy and an educational tool, appealing to parents looking for products that could help their children learn while playing. Its success helped establish Texas Instruments as a player in the educational electronics market.