# HP-71B

> late 1980s programmable handheld computer

**Wikidata**: [Q660536](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q660536)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HP-71B)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hp-71b

## Summary
The HP-71B is a programmable handheld computer and product model manufactured by Hewlett-Packard. Originally released in 1984, it is classified as a calculator and features a liquid-crystal display (LCD). The device is recognized as a late 1980s portable computing solution developed by the American technology company Hewlett-Packard.

## Key Facts
- **Inception:** 1984
- **Manufacturer:** Hewlett-Packard (American information technology company)
- **Product Type:** Product model; Subclass of calculator
- **Form Factor:** Programmable handheld computer
- **Display Technology:** Liquid-crystal display (LCD)
- **Alternate Name:** HP 71B
- **Manufacturer Origin:** Hewlett-Packard was founded in the United States (1939) and headquartered in Palo Alto.
- **Library of Congress ID:** sh86001078

## FAQs
### Q: What is the HP-71B?
A: The HP-71B is a handheld computer that is programmable, created by Hewlett-Packard. It operates as a calculator and utilizes liquid-crystal display technology.

### Q: When was the HP-71B released?
A: The HP-71B was released in 1984.

### Q: Who manufactured the HP-71B?
A: The device was manufactured by Hewlett-Packard, a major American information technology company founded in 1939.

## Why It Matters
The HP-71B represents a significant era in the evolution of personal electronics, bridging the gap between standard calculators and more complex portable computers. As a "programmable handheld computer" introduced in 1984, it offered users advanced computational capabilities in a mobile form factor during a period when computing was largely transitioning from desktops to portable units. Its development by Hewlett-Packard—a pioneer in the computer hardware and software industries—underscores the device's engineering pedigree. The inclusion of a liquid-crystal display (LCD) marked it as a modern device for its time, utilizing power-efficient screen technology that would become standard in future handhelds. The HP-71B remains a notable entry in the history of mobile computing hardware.

## Notable For
- **Classification:** Distinguished as a "programmable handheld computer" rather than a standard fixed-function calculator.
- **Display:** Featured liquid-crystal display (LCD) technology.
- **Heritage:** Manufactured by Hewlett-Packard, a foundational entity in the global computer hardware industry.
- **Timeline:** Debuted in 1984, placing it in the early wave of advanced personal handheld electronics.

## Body

### Device Overview
The HP-71B, alternatively written as HP 71B, is a model of handheld computer designed and distributed by Hewlett-Packard. Categorized structurally as a "product model" and a "subclass of calculator," the device functions primarily as a portable, programmable computer. It entered the market in 1984.

### Technical Specifications
The unit utilizes liquid-crystal display (LCD) technology for its visual output. As a programmable device, it allowed users to input and store custom computational logic, differentiating it from basic calculators of the same period.

### Manufacturer Context
The HP-71B was produced by Hewlett-Packard, an American information technology company.
*   **Foundation:** Hewlett-Packard was established on July 2, 1939.
*   **Headquarters:** The company was based in Palo Alto, United States.
*   **Industry:** The company operated within the computer hardware, software, and information technology industries.

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/JohnMarkOckerbloom/ftl/blob/master/data/wikimap)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File