QME FAQ

In many lab scenes, Sam is seen using a calculator that looks like an old-school Hewlett-Packard. Was it really an HP, and do we know the model?Great catch — and yes, the calculator Sam Fujiyama frequently used in the Los Angeles Coroner’s lab does appear to be a vintage Hewlett-Packard (HP) model. Fans and vintage tech sleuths have identified it as likely being from the HP-67/97 series — two legendary programmable calculators designed for professional use.

The HP-67 was a handheld scientific calculator, introduced by Hewlett-Packard in 1976 and discontinued in 1982. Its counterpart, the HP-97, was introduced in 1977 and discontinued in 1984. The HP-97 was a desktop version of the 67, complete with a built-in thermal printer and a larger keypad. Both calculators featured magnetic card readers for program storage and used Reverse Polish Notation (RPN) — a system embraced by engineers and scientists for its efficiency but considered puzzling to the uninitiated.

Collectively referred to as the HP-67/97 series, these models were widely used in laboratories, hospitals, and universities throughout the late ’70s and early ’80s, making them a realistic and era-appropriate choice for Sam’s character — the lab’s meticulous forensic assistant.

Though the show never provides a clear close-up, scenes showing the calculator’s distinctive red LED display and keypad layout strongly suggest it was either an HP-67 or HP-97, both emblematic of high-end technical equipment of the time.

Fun Fact: The HP-67/97 line was among the most advanced personal computing tools available before desktop computers became mainstream — yet another detail that subtly underscored Sam’s role as Quincy’s sharp, scientifically-minded right hand.

Bonus trivia: HP calculators of this era used Reverse Polish Notation (RPN), a distinctive input method favored by scientists but confusing to most casual users — yet another subtle nod to Sam’s deep technical knowledge and precision!

Great observation — and you’re not alone in noticing! While Quincy, M.E. was unmistakably set in Southern California (complete with marina scenes and LA County references), many of the show’s regular and guest stars, including Jack Klugman, brought unmistakable Northeastern flair to their performances. Klugman himself hailed from Philadelphia, and his gruff, no-nonsense delivery gave Quincy a distinct East Coast edge.

This wasn’t necessarily a deliberate move by the producers to portray a transplanted East Coast community, but rather a byproduct of casting veteran character actors — many of whom had roots in New York theater or the broader Northeast acting scene. In fact, Universal Studios in the 1970s often drew from a talent pool that overlapped heavily with Broadway, off-Broadway, and TV dramas shot in New York before production hubs shifted more fully westward.

For Klugman, his East Coast identity wasn’t something he tried to shed. Instead, it became an integral part of Quincy’s character — tough, passionate, outspoken, and deeply driven by principle. Whether challenging bureaucrats or standing up for the underdog, Quincy’s voice (both literally and figuratively) had a distinct Northeastern ring to it.

So while it may not have been a purposeful choice in the writing room, the melting pot of accents ended up adding layers of authenticity and grit to the show’s ensemble — helping Quincy feel like the kind of guy who could’ve been a streetwise New Yorker, even if he was working the LA docks.

Jack Klugman was born on April 27, 1922, and he brought the tenacious medical examiner Quincy to life beginning with the show’s premiere in 1976. At the start of Quincy, M.E., Klugman was 54 years old. Over the course of the series’ seven-year run — which aired from 1976 to 1983 — he portrayed Dr. Quincy from age 54 through to 61.

This period marked some of Klugman’s most celebrated work, where his portrayal of the determined and often stubborn medical examiner captured the attention of millions. His mature age lent gravitas and authenticity to the role, helping to ground the series in realism during an era when medical dramas were just starting to gain popularity on television.

Jack Klugman’s performance on Quincy, M.E. not only defined his career but also left a lasting legacy on the genre, influencing future crime and medical shows for decades to come.

nBefore the Medical Health Planning Board, during “For the Benefit of My Patients,” Quincy was quick to point out about his own profession,nnnn“…As you can see, Dr. Rawlings and the Terrace Heights Hospital are not prejudiced. Anyone can get in, regardless of race, color, or creed – they just have to be able to pay! Their admission does not depend upon the degree of their illness but on the right insurance card. That’s a far cry from the sign in front of Albert Schwitzer’s Jungle Hospital, which reads, ‘Here, at whatever hour you come, you will find light and help and human kindness.’ What a rotten businessman Schweitzer must have been, but what a magnificent doctor and humanitarian he was. When the only consideration of the hospital is a concern for the profit margin, humanity goes out the window. And without humanity, you cannot have good medicine.“nnnnThis summarizes the importance of what Quincy recognizes as good vs. bad medical practice. A similar attitude is also expressed in “A Ghost of a Chance,” where he indicates that “ghost surgeons” and teaching hospitals need to exercise extra stringent policing because only then can they protect those who need their help!nnnnn