I graduated HS in 1978 (Yes.....that makes me 42 now).........my Sophmore Chemistry class was the last that was taught "Slide Rule".......a good calculator (non-scientific......a few functions) cost around $100........by the time I was a senior.......you could get a good Scientific Calculator for around $35.........
When I was in Junior-High........one of my friends dad's had a "Pocket Slide Rule"......it cost so much that he locked it in a safe at home..............
My brother had a programable HP in College in the early 70's.........it cost over $1000............by the time I got to UT (University of Texas)..........a comparable one cost around $65........
I am hoping to buy the latest computer for around $10-$15 bucks soon.............but.........this one has gotten me by for the last 4-5 years..........but is archaic by todays standards...............lol
Joel
BTW........my brother (an MD) was a Research Fellow and was involved in much of the early research on the CAT Scan and MRI after he graduated from Medical School..........
1 Megabyte of RAM in those days cost $10,000.........
Now.......we can buy 128MB cards for under $50........
In his world......that 128MB card would cost close to 1.3 million dollars...........