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OT--'The Big Bang Theory' and RPN/HP--Any connections? - Printable Version

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OT--'The Big Bang Theory' and RPN/HP--Any connections? - Matt Agajanian - 09-02-2013

Hello all. After watching 'The Big Bang Theory' a few times, less than ten , I would think that HP calculators or RPN would get a mention. So, have there been lines spoken in the series which give HP or RPN a mention?


Re: OT--'The Big Bang Theory' and RPN/HP--Any connections? - Fred Lusk - 09-02-2013

Matt…

I have the first four seasons of BBT on DVD and have watched them several times each. I don't recall any reference to HP or RPN or RPL, though I am certainly willing to be corrected.

At the very least, Howard (the engineer) should be familiar with RPL, given his apparent age.


Re: OT--'The Big Bang Theory' and RPN/HP--Any connections? - Katie Wasserman - 09-02-2013

Quote:
At the very least, Howard (the engineer) should be familiar with RPL, given his apparent age.

I think that he's supposed to be about 30 now. That would place him well after the heyday of HP calculators in his work or in school. While they often make reference to vintage technology (video games) and vintage collectables (Star Trek stuff) I don't think that HP calculators are something that too many of the general population can relate to.

On the other hand, they do a lot with product placement in that show and if HP were to be a sponsor they might be able to work something about their calculators in there!

Edited: 2 Sept 2013, 1:54 a.m.


Re: OT--'The Big Bang Theory' and RPN/HP--Any connections? - Massimo Gnerucci (Italy) - 09-02-2013

Some of them are on the dark side :(

Massimo


Re: OT--'The Big Bang Theory' and RPN/HP--Any connections? - Jim Johnson - 09-02-2013

LOL. Nice link, Massimo. I'd forgotten that Mayim Bialik did a pitch for the evil competitor.


Re: OT--'The Big Bang Theory' and RPN/HP--Any connections? - Namir - 09-02-2013

I attended NCTM conference in Denver last April (which is where HP first showed the HP Prime). Myiam was the keynote speaker.

Namir


Re: OT--'The Big Bang Theory' and RPN/HP--Any connections? - Fred Lusk - 09-02-2013

True, but…

A couple times a year, I find myself wandering through the engineering department at my alma mater and I often see students using the latest graphing calcs, including some HP-50G's. While Howard missed the glory days of HP, RPN/RPL shouldn't be foreign to him.

Here's an interesting thought: how often would an imaginary mechanical engineer use imaginary numbers? :-)


Re: OT--'The Big Bang Theory' and RPN/HP--Any connections? - Matt Agajanian - 09-02-2013

Hmmm? Intetesting thought


Re: OT--'The Big Bang Theory' and RPN/HP--Any connections? - Dale Reed - 09-02-2013

It all depends on what form the 'use' operator takes. If it's an addition operator, then you'll get:

    how_often = i+i = 2i
so it only happens in his imagination.

If it's a multiplication operator, then you'll get:

    how_often = i*i = -1
so it happens less than not at all.

If it's a power function, then you'll get:

    how_often = i**i = 0.207879576...
so it really happens, about 20% of the time.

When I found out that

i**i
is a real number (a set of real numbers, actually!), I was impressed, but not as impressed as I was when I found out that
e**(i*pi)+1=0
Complex numbers may or may not be "fun" but they sure are "neat"!

Dale


Edited: 2 Sept 2013, 5:34 p.m.


Re: OT--'The Big Bang Theory' - LOYAL USER OF ENTER KEYS! - Joerg Woerner - 09-02-2013

Hi there,

I talked last year to Mayim and can assure you that she is a very loyal user of the magic ENTER-key for more than 20 years.

Proof included.

Cheers,

Joerg




Re: OT--'The Big Bang Theory' - LOYAL USER OF ENTER KEYS! - Namir - 09-03-2013

I remember you posted a video of meeting her at your TI calculator table.




Re: OT--'The Big Bang Theory' and RPN/HP--Any connections? - BruceH - 09-03-2013

SCENE: Sheldon is walking backwards along a corridor,
against the flow of people coming the other way.
He is prominently holding an HP calculator in
front of him in one hand, whilst entering numbers
with the other. People are constantly bumping
into him as they try to avoid him.

SHELDON: (as each person bumps into him)
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.

Leonard sees this from the start of the corridor and
pushes through the on-coming people to catch-up with
Sheldon.

LEONARD: (exasperatedly) Sheldon! What are you doing?

SHELDON: I'm using my calculator, of course.

LEONARD: (patiently) Yes, I *know* you're using your
calculator. Why are you walking backwards
along the corridor?

SHELDON: (condescendingly) Isn't it obvious, Leonard?
It's an HP-41 which uses reverse Polish notation.
Ergo I should be going in reverse when using it.

LEONARD: Isn't that just taking things a little too far?
Why can't you use it but walk forwards?

SHELDON: But then it would be just Polish notation and
the answers would be wrong.




Re: OT--'The Big Bang Theory' and RPN/HP--Any connections? - Matt Agajanian - 09-03-2013

Was this from an actual episode?


Re: OT--'The Big Bang Theory' and RPN/HP--Any connections? - Gerson W. Barbosa - 09-03-2013

Quote:
So, have there been lines spoken in the series which give HP or RPN a mention?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUHmbqWsXuo


Re: OT--'The Big Bang Theory' and RPN/HP--Any connections? - Gerson W. Barbosa - 09-03-2013

Quote:
I'd forgotten that Mayim Bialik did a pitch for the evil competitor.

Now I finally understand why she got so disappointed at the mention of Hewlett's and Packard's names :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjvT-RhVidU


Re: OT--'The Big Bang Theory' - LOYAL USER OF ENTER KEYS! - Joerg Woerner - 09-03-2013

Yep, and she signed my TI-81 - should be worth a zillion in a few years.

Take care, Joerg


Re: OT--'The Big Bang Theory' and RPN/HP--Any connections? - Matt Kernal - 09-04-2013

It seems your gullibility quotient is working at peak performance today. ;-)


I do have to admit.. Bruce, you nailed it! :-)


Re: OT--'The Big Bang Theory' - LOYAL USER OF ENTER KEYS! - Eddie W. Shore - 09-04-2013

Nice! :)


Re: OT--'The Big Bang Theory' - LOYAL USER OF ENTER KEYS! - Adrien Bertrand - 09-05-2013

Ah ! I remember I was there :)

Here's another (blurry... :( ) proof some seconds before or after :P

( source with some more photos : http://tiplanet.org/forum/gallery/image_page.php?album_id=60&image_id=544 )


Re: OT--'The Big Bang Theory' and RPN/HP--Any connections? - Adrien Bertrand - 09-05-2013

Haha nice ;)