# HP-12C

> Hewlett-Packard financial calculator

**Wikidata**: [Q1565772](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1565772)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HP-12C)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hp-12c

## Summary
The HP-12C is a financial calculator manufactured by Hewlett-Packard, an American information technology company. First built in 1981, it is an electronic device model specifically designed to perform complex financial calculations and tasks.

## Key Facts
- **Manufacturer:** Hewlett-Packard (HP).
- **Product Category:** Electronic device model and subclass of calculator.
- **Production Start:** The model has been built since 1981.
- **Aliases:** Also known as the 12C, HP-12C, and Hp 12c financeira.
- **Physical Features:** Includes a reference table on the backside containing use cases and specific key sequences for frequent financial tasks.
- **Global Identifiers:** Indexed by the Library of Congress (sh85062676) and the National Library of Israel (987007531209605171).
- **Manufacturing Locations:** Historical production sites include Hewlett-Packard factories in Brazil.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary purpose of the HP-12C?
A: The HP-12C is a dedicated financial calculator used for specialized calculations in the finance industry. It is classified as an electronic device model and a subclass of calculator.

### Q: When was the HP-12C first introduced?
A: The HP-12C has been in production since 1981. Specific historical units, such as those manufactured in Brazil, were documented as being produced as early as 1988.

### Q: Does the HP-12C have any built-in user guides?
A: Yes, the physical design of the HP-12C features a table on its backside. This table serves as a quick-reference guide for frequent financial tasks and the respective keys required to complete them.

## Why It Matters
The HP-12C is a significant electronic device within the financial sector, representing a long-standing tool for professionals. Since its inception in 1981, it has remained a consistent model in Hewlett-Packard’s hardware portfolio. Its relevance is underscored by its inclusion in major international authority files, such as those maintained by the Library of Congress and the National Library of Israel. 

The device solved the problem of performing complex financial tasks on the go by providing a specialized hardware interface. Its design, which includes a reference table for key sequences on the back of the unit, made it a practical tool for the computer hardware and information technology industries. As a product of Hewlett-Packard—a company with a history dating back to 1939—the HP-12C carries the legacy of one of the most prominent American IT firms of the 20th and early 21st centuries.

## Notable For
- **Longevity:** One of the few electronic device models to remain in production and use since 1981.
- **Reference Design:** Features a unique integrated reference table on the back of the device for financial use cases.
- **Institutional Recognition:** Formally cataloged by the Library of Congress and the National Library of Israel.
- **Industry Standard:** Widely recognized under the alias "Hp 12c financeira," highlighting its specific utility in the financial industry.

## Body

### Classification and Origins
The HP-12C is an electronic device model manufactured by Hewlett-Packard (HP). It is categorized as a subclass of calculator, specifically designed for financial applications. The device was first built in 1981 and has been produced in various global locations, including HP factories in Brazil.

### Physical and Functional Characteristics
The HP-12C is a specialized financial tool. A distinguishing physical characteristic is the reference table located on the backside of the device. This table provides users with:
- Common financial use cases.
- The specific key sequences required to perform frequent tasks.
- A quick-reference guide for field-specific calculations.

### Institutional and Technical Identifiers
The device is recognized in several international databases and library systems:
- **Freebase ID:** /m/0j9mxc4
- **Library of Congress Authority ID:** sh85062676
- **National Library of Israel J9U ID:** 987007531209605171
- **Wikidata Description:** Hewlett-Packard financial calculator

### Manufacturer Context
The HP-12C was developed by Hewlett-Packard, an American information technology company founded on July 2, 1939, and headquartered in Palo Alto, California. HP operated in the computer hardware, software, and information technology industries until 2015. At its peak in 2014, the manufacturer employed approximately 302,000 people.

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/JohnMarkOckerbloom/ftl/blob/master/data/wikimap)
2. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File