Jerry Merryman
Jerry Dale Merryman (June 17, 1932 – February 27, 2019) was an American electrical engineer and inventor. He was a member of the team at Texas Instruments that developed the first pocket calculator in 1965.
Jerry Merryman | |
|---|---|
 Jerry Merryman and James R. Biard at the April 2016 meeting of the TI Vets. | |
| Born | June 17, 1932 Hearne, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | February 27, 2019 (aged 86) Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Texas A&M University (did not graduate) |
| Occupation | Electrical engineer |
| Known for | Co-inventor of the hand-held calculator |
| Spouse(s) | Vernette Posey Sally Simon Phyllis Lee |
| Children | 1 daughter |
Early life
Merryman was born on June 17, 1932 near Hearne, Texas.[1] He attended Texas A&M University but failed to graduate.[1][2]
Career
Merryman began his career at Texas Instruments in 1963.[1][2] With Jack Kilby and James Van Tassel, he invented the hand-held calculator in 1965.[1] Two years later, "The first patent for the calculator was filed."[3] Merryman retired as an engineer for Texas Instruments in 1994 but continued to work for them as a consultant.[3]
Personal life and death
Merryman was married three times. He first married Vernette Posey, followed by Sally Simon, and finally Phyllis Lee. He had a daughter, Melissa.[1]
Merryman died of heart and kidney failure on February 27, 2019 in Dallas, Texas, at age 86.[1][2][3]
References
- Metz, Cade (March 7, 2019). "Jerry Merryman, Co-Inventor of the Pocket Calculator, Dies at 86". The New York Times. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
- "Jerry Merryman, who helped invent the handheld calculator, dies at 86". The Los Angeles Times. March 6, 2019. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
- Criss, Doug; Baldacci, Marlena (March 6, 2019). "Jerry Merryman, the man who helped invent the hand-held calculator, has died". CNN. Retrieved March 13, 2019.