Texas Instruments' long‑standing monopoly on graphing calculators examined

A new episode of the technology podcast Version History examines how Texas Instruments came to dominate the graphing‑calculator market that has been a staple of back‑to‑school shopping lists since the early 2000s. Hosted by David Pierce and featuring The Verge’s Nilay Patel and Victoria Song, the episode traces the company’s strategic moves, product development, and long‑standing relationships with schools that cemented its monopoly on the classroom and test‑taking arena. The discussion also highlights how TI’s early entry into the market and aggressive licensing agreements have kept competitors at bay for decades.

The installment, the second of the fifth season’s “back‑to‑school” series, follows a previous episode that explored the cultural impact of the classic Oregon Trail game in school computer labs. Listeners can hear the full conversation and additional context on The Verge’s website, where the podcast continues to document the historical forces shaping everyday technology.