ET44 Pocket Calculator: A Triumph of Design and Functionality

Evolution of Electronic Calculators

The journey of electronic calculators began with manual adding machines in the late nineteenth century, notably designed by U.S. inventor William Seward Burroughs. Burroughs’ invention evolved into the Burroughs Adding Machine Company, which introduced its first calculator around 1911. These early machines laid the groundwork for future innovations, prioritizing simplicity and ease of use.

Fast-forward to the 1970s, when technological advancements allowed for the integration of circuits and LEDs. This drastically reduced costs and made electronic calculators more accessible. During this period, Dieter Rams and Dietrich Lubs worked for Braun in Frankfurt, Germany. They introduced the iconic ET44 pocket calculator in 1978.

The Genius of Dieter Rams

Dieter Rams, a seminal figure in industrial design, graduated in 1953 from the Werkkunstschule Wiesbaden with a degree in architecture and interior design. He joined Braun in 1955 and stayed for nearly forty years, expanding his role to design products, packaging, and advertising. Rams’ design philosophy is epitomized in the ET44 pocket calculator, which combines aesthetic minimalism with functional efficiency.

Rams believed in creating innovative, aesthetically pleasing, unobtrusive, honest, long-lasting, environmentally friendly, and useful designs. His approach to design was to make products understandable and thorough down to the last detail, with as little design as possible. This ethos is evident in the ET44’s sleek, matte black finish and glossy convex buttons, which provide a pleasing tactile experience.

Design Features and Impact

The ET44 pocket calculator was not only visually striking but also highly functional. Its narrow, lightweight design made it easy to carry in a pocket, while its smooth buttons, resembling small shiny beads, enhanced usability. The design allowed for quick and efficient operation, a significant advancement.

Rams’ work at Braun was characterized by black, pared-back creations punctuated with beads of colour to create more intuitive designs. The ET44 is a prime example of this approach, embodying Rams’ principles of good design. Its influence extended beyond Braun, inspiring other designers, including Jonathan Ive, senior vice president of industrial design at Apple, who acknowledged Rams as a significant influence on his work.

Cultural and Artistic Significance

Despite being a functional object, the ET44 calculator has been recognized for its design excellence and displayed in art collections worldwide, including the Design Museum in London. The museum honored the ET44 by celebrating 25 years of design, highlighting its cultural and artistic significance.

Legacy and Influence

Dieter Rams and Dietrich Lubs’ collaboration on the ET44 calculator and other products helped establish Braun’s reputation for high-quality, well-designed small appliances in the 1970s and ’80s. The ET44’s design is so influential that it is said to have inspired the look of the calculator on Apple’s iPhone, demonstrating its lasting impact on design and technology.

Sources

1000 Design Classics. (2022). Germany: Phaidon Press.ET 44 Pocket Calculator https://amzn.to/3VKlPqn

Hodge, S. (2014). What Makes Great Design: 80 Masterpieces Explained. United Kingdom: Frances Lincoln Limited.

Quin, S. (2013). Collectables: 20th Century Classics. United Kingdom: Fox Chapel Publishing. https://amzn.to/45J65Yl

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