HP calculator 35th Anniversary celebrated with video contest

HP introduced the world’s first scientific pocket calculator-the HP-35-in 1972 and, according to the company, it was an instant hit among scientists and engineers and soon displaced the then ubiquitous slide rule. As part of a year-long celebration of its 35th anniversary in the handheld calculator business, HP announced a nationwide competition inviting entrants to submit short videos that capture "the essence of their personal experiences with, emotions toward, or artistic interpretations of HP calculators."

The HP Calculator Casting Call contest runs through May 31, 2007, and is open to U.S. residents. Finalists in each award category will win an all-expenses paid trip to Hollywood, Calif., to participate in the HP Golden Calculator Awards ceremony on July 12, 2007.

"HP calculator users’ passion and loyalty are legendary," says Jeff Robbins, director of marketing, Calculator Division, Personal Systems Group, HP. "With this contest, we want to capture and share this enthusiasm and creative energy with the rest of the world, including the new online generation."

Video entries can take the form of a documentary, commercial, or any appropriate theme the contestant envisions, HP says, but they must be limited to three minutes in length or 100 megabytes in file size. Entries will be judged by a panel on the basis of best actor, best actress, most creative, and most technical. In addition, a Voters’ Choice award will be selected from the category finalists by an online popular vote, and the winner will receive an HP 50-inch high-definition plasma TV. Additional details about the contest and rules are available at www.hp.com/go/35celebration.