The hidden monopoly behind your TI graphing calculator | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAIPolicyNotificationsNotificationsHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.NotificationsNotificationsHamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchLightSystemDarkTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessSee all techReviewsExpandSmart Home ReviewsPhone ReviewsTablet ReviewsHeadphone ReviewsSee all reviewsScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthSee all scienceEntertainmentExpandTV ShowsMoviesAudioSee all entertainmentAIExpandOpenAIAnthropicSee all AIPolicyExpandAntitrustPoliticsLawSecuritySee all policyGadgetsExpandLaptopsPhonesTVsHeadphonesSpeakersWearablesSee all gadgetsVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee all shoppingGamingExpandXboxPlayStationNintendoSee all gamingStreamingExpandDisneyHBONetflixYouTubeCreatorsSee all streamingTransportationExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersSee all transportationFeaturesVerge VideoExpandTikTokYouTubeInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersArchivesStoreVerge Product UpdatesSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.The hidden monopoly behind your TI graphing calculatorNotificationsNotificationsComments DrawerNotificationsCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...PodcastsClosePodcastsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All PodcastsVersion HistoryCloseVersion HistoryPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All Version HistoryThe hidden monopoly behind your TI graphing calculatorOn Version History: Nilay Patel and Victoria Song recount their memories of their iconic and expensive calculators.On Version History: Nilay Patel and Victoria Song recount their memories of their iconic and expensive calculators.by Verge StaffCloseVerge StaffAuthorPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Verge StaffSep 20, 2026, 12:00 PM UTCLinkShareGiftAmelia KralesThe same calculator has been on most kids’ back to school shopping list since the early 2000’s and the dominance of Texas Instruments’ calculator division goes back even farther.In the next episode of Version History, David Pierce is joined by The Verge’s Nilay Patel and Victoria Song to tell the story of TI graphing calculators and how one company managed to take over the market and never let it go.

This is the second episode of the fifth season of Version History where we’re heading back to school. We’ve already talked about the perilous journeys of The Oregon Trail that many students experienced in the computer lab and over the course of the next few weeks we’ll talk about the One Laptop Per Child, Chromebook, LeapPad, and the overhead projector.Here’s how to get every episode as soon as it drops:The Version History podcast feedThe Version History YouTube channelOur TikTok and Instagram accountsIf you’re a Verge subscriber, you can also get access to Version History (and all our other podcasts) with no ads. All you have to do is visit your account settings.If you want to know more about TI Graphing Calculator history, here are some links to get you started:From Washington Post: The unstoppable TI-84 Plus: How an outdated calculator still holds a monopoly on classroomsFrom New York Times: State adding a tool for 8th grade mathFrom ProMarket: TI’s Calculator Monopoly Offers Lessons for Educators in the Age of Generative AI Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Verge StaffCloseVerge StaffAuthorPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Verge StaffPodcastsClosePodcastsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All PodcastsVersion HistoryCloseVersion HistoryPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All Version HistoryMost PopularMost PopularIt’s not just LG. Every TV company is spying on youOpenAI and Microsoft knew they were starting a ‘doom loop’ for the webGemini went rogue, hacked three companies, and Google hid itThe 2.5-hour AI-generated Odyssey movie is 2.5 hours too longMeta’s Muse is creepy, but maybe not for the reasons you thinkThe Verge DailyA free daily digest of the news that matters most.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.Advertiser Content FromThis is the title for the native adMore in PodcastsPlayDoes AI need an antitrust exemption so it doesn’t kill everyone????The real story of the iPhone 18 Pro’s cameraPlayMicrosoft AI CEO says AI threats are real, and Anthropic is making it worseWhat if social media isn’t hurting kids?How The Oregon Trail became a generational iconPlayAdam Conover explains how YouTube ruined everythingPlayDoes AI need an antitrust exemption so it doesn’t kill everyone????Nilay PatelSep 19The real story of the iPhone 18 Pro’s cameraJacob KastrenakesSep 18PlayMicrosoft AI CEO says AI threats are real, and Anthropic is making it worseNilay PatelSep 17What if social media isn’t hurting kids?Lauren FeinerSep 15How The Oregon Trail became a generational iconDavid Pierce and Travis LarchukSep 15PlayAdam Conover explains how YouTube ruined everythingNilay PatelSep 14Advertiser Content FromThis is the title for the native adTop StoriesSep 19The AI regulation smackdown isn’t overSep 19It’s not just LG. Every TV company is spying on youSep 18OpenAI and Microsoft knew they were starting a ‘doom loop’ for the webSep 19Anamanaguchi has ‘too goddamn many’ browser tabs open right nowSep 18Flash floods can strike without warning — this new technology could change thatThe VergeThe Verge logo.FacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSContactTip UsCommunity GuidelinesArchivesAboutEthics StatementHow We Rate and Review ProductsCookie SettingsTerms of UsePrivacy PolicyYour California Privacy RightsYour Privacy ChoicesCookie NoticeAdChoicesLicensing FAQAccessibilityPlatform StatusPenske Media CorporationThe Verge is a part of PMX Global, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Media Corporation.© 2026 VM Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved.Our SitesThe American PavilionARTnewsArt in AmericaArtforumArt Week NYCBeauty IncBillboardDeadlineDick Clark ProductionsThe DodoEaterFlow SpaceFNGold DerbyGolden GlobesThe Hollywood ReporterIndieWireLife is BeautifulPopsugarPunchSJ DenimRobb ReportRolling StoneSB NationSHE MediaShe KnowsSourcing JournalSoapsSporticoStyleCasterSXSWThrillistVarietyThe VergeVibeWWDNotifications DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Sign in to see your notifications or create an account to join the conversation.Sign in

The provided text refers to content from The Verge, specifically highlighting a segment from their Version History podcast titled "The hidden monopoly behind your TI graphing calculator." This segment features Nilay Patel and Victoria Song recounting their experiences with iconic and expensive calculators, setting the stage for a discussion on the market dominance held by Texas Instruments in the calculator division. The context suggests an in-depth exploration of how one company managed to establish and maintain a monopoly over this market. The text also points to related external resources, including links to articles from the Washington Post, the New York Times, and ProMarket, which further explore the history and educational impact of TI graphing calculators. Additionally, the navigational structure indicates that this content is part of a broader collection of stories featured on the Version History platform, alongside other topics such as the history of technology, artificial intelligence, and current events, as evidenced by other linked articles concerning the AI regulation smackdown and other technological shifts.