TEXAS INSTRUMENTS' IRON GRIP ON GRAPHING CALCULATORS

INDUSTRY DESK■ 1 MIN READ

SUN, SEP 20, 2026

■ AI-SUMMARIZED FROM 1 SOURCE ▸ TIMELINE

Texas Instruments has maintained a near-monopoly on graphing calculators since the early 2000s, with the same models appearing on back-to-school shopping lists for decades. The Verge explores how one company dominated the market and sustained its dominance.

Texas Instruments' graphing calculator division represents one of tech's most enduring monopolies. The company's TI calculators became standard equipment in schools across the United States, a position it has held and reinforced for over two decades. The Verge's latest episode of Version History investigates how TI achieved this market control and the mechanisms that have kept competitors at bay. Hosts David Pierce, Nilay Patel, and Victoria Song examine the company's strategy in the second episode of season five. TI's grip on the graphing calculator market extends beyond consumer choice—it reflects institutional decisions made by schools and educational systems that continue purchasing the same devices. This lock-in effect has allowed TI to maintain pricing power and market share despite minimal innovation in core products. The episode is part of Version History, which explores how technology companies shape markets and consumer behavior through strategic positioning and institutional relationships.

■ SOURCES

► The Verge

■ SUMMARY WRITTEN BY AI FROM THE LINKS ABOVE

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TEXAS INSTRUMENTS' IRON GRIP ON GRAPHING CALCULATORS

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