Jerry Merryman
Jerry Merryman and James R. Biard at the April 2016 meeting of the TI Vets.
BornJune 17, 1932
Hearne, Texas, U.S.
DiedFebruary 27, 2019(2019-02-27) (aged 86)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Alma materTexas A&M University (did not graduate)
OccupationElectrical engineer
Known forCo-inventor of the hand-held calculator
Spouses
  • Vernette Posey
  • Sally Simon
  • Phyllis Lee
Children1 daughter

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.

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]

Awards

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Metz, Cade (March 7, 2019). "Jerry Merryman, Co-Inventor of the Pocket Calculator, Dies at 86". The New York Times. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "Jerry Merryman, who helped invent the handheld calculator, dies at 86". The Los Angeles Times. March 6, 2019. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c 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.
  4. ^ "Stibitz-Wilson Awards 1997".
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