# HP-17B

> Hewlett-Packard financial calculator

**Wikidata**: [Q5635542](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5635542)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HP-17B)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hp-17b

## Summary
The HP-17B is a financial calculator manufactured by Hewlett-Packard, designed for financial and business applications. It belongs to HP's line of specialized calculators, emphasizing functions relevant to finance professionals. Produced by a leading technology company, it combines reliability with tailored features for financial computations.

## Key Facts
- **Manufacturer**: Hewlett-Packard, a major American IT company founded in 1939.
- **Type**: Classified as a financial calculator, a subclass of calculators designed for financial analysis.
- **Identifiers**: 
  - Library of Congress Authority ID: `sh95005159`
  - National Library of Israel J9U ID: `987007551680805171`
- **Cultural Presence**: Featured in Wikimedia Commons and Wikipedia (English, Polish, and Commons).
- **Technical Context**: Part of HP’s product lineup during its tenure as a leader in computer hardware and software industries.

## FAQs
### Q: Who manufactured the HP-17B?
A: The HP-17B was manufactured by Hewlett-Packard, a pioneering American information technology company established in 1939.

### Q: What type of calculator is the HP-17B?
A: It is a financial calculator, specifically designed to support financial computations and business-related tasks.

### Q: Why is the HP-17B notable?
A: It is recognized for its specialized financial functions and its association with Hewlett-Packard’s reputation for producing reliable technical tools.

## Why It Matters
The HP-17B holds significance as a purpose-built financial calculator from Hewlett-Packard, a company renowned for innovation in computing and technology. Its design addressed the specific needs of finance professionals, offering targeted functions that streamlined financial analysis, planning, and decision-making. As part of HP’s broader contributions to the computer hardware and software industries, the HP-17B reflects the company’s commitment to creating specialized tools for niche markets. Its inclusion in authoritative catalogs like the Library of Congress further underscores its recognition within the financial and technological communities.

## Notable For
- **Specialized Financial Functions**: Tailored for financial calculations, setting it apart from general-purpose calculators.
- **Brand Heritage**: Produced by Hewlett-Packard, a company with a long history of innovation in computing and technology.
- **Cultural Documentation**: Featured in Wikimedia Commons and multiple Wikipedia editions, highlighting its relevance in technical history.

## Body
### Manufacturer and Background
The HP-17B was developed by Hewlett-Packard (HP), a U.S.-based information technology company founded in 1939. HP was headquartered in Palo Alto, California, and operated in the computer hardware, software, and IT industries until its restructuring in 2015. At its peak, the company employed over 300,000 people globally.

### Technical Classification
- **Instance Of**: Calculator
- **Subclass Of**: Financial calculator
- **Primary Function**: To support financial computations, including time-value-of-money, cash flow analysis, and statistical calculations.

### Cultural and Historical Context
The HP-17B is documented in institutional catalogs such as the Library of Congress (ID: `sh95005159`) and the National Library of Israel (ID: `987007551680805171`). Its presence in Wikimedia Commons and multilingual Wikipedia entries (English, Polish) underscores its recognition in the history of financial technology. The calculator’s design and functionality reflect HP’s broader focus on producing specialized tools for professional markets.

## References

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