Jerry Merryman


Jerry Dale Merryman 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. He attended Texas A&M University but failed to graduate.

Career

Merryman began his career at Texas Instruments in 1963. With Jack Kilby and James Van Tassel, he invented the hand-held calculator in 1965. Two years later, "The first patent for the calculator was filed." Merryman retired as an engineer for Texas Instruments in 1994 but continued to work for them as a consultant.

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.
Merryman died of heart and kidney failure on February 27, 2019, in Dallas, Texas, at age 86.

Awards