Calcomp
Defunct American computer company
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Calcomp Technology, Inc., often referred to as Calcomp[1][2] or CalComp,[3][4] was a company best known for its Calcomp plotters.
 | |
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Printers and imaging |
| Founded | 1959 in Anaheim, California |
| Defunct | 1999 |
| Fate | Split |
| Successor | Don Budde and Don Lightfoot |
History
It was founded as California Computer Products, Inc[1][2] in 1959,[5] located in Anaheim, California.
Sanders Associates, Inc., purchased Calcomp in 1980.[6] In 1986, Sanders Associates was purchased by the Lockheed Corporation, and merged into Lockheed's Information Systems Group.[7] Lockheed kept CalComp as a brand name.
Shutdown
Calcomp Technology shut down its operations in 1999,[8] and transferred different product lines to various other companies, some of whom continue to use the "Calcomp" or other "Cal-" trademarks:[9]
- Technical Services and spare parts: CalGraph Technology Services, Inc.
- TechJet 5500 Large Format Inkjet Plotter / Printer Information: CalComp Graphics.[10]
- Digitizer, Tablets and scanners: GTCO CalComp, Inc.
- Film Imaging Systems: EcoPro Imaging (now part of OYO Instruments)
- Cutter and sign maker products: Westcomp
Products
It produced a wide range of plotters (both drum and flat-bed), digitizers, thermal transfer color printers,[11] thermal plotters[12] (InfoWorld June 13, 1994 p. 40) and other graphic input/output devices. In 1969, it produced about 80% of all plotters worldwide.
It also produced IBM plug compatible (PCM) disk and tape products. The disk products ranged from 2311 (CD-1,5, 17, 18, 24, 25) through 3350 equivalents. The tape product was a 3420 equivalent.
Calcomp acquired Talos and Summagraphics, which had acquired Houston Instruments.[13]
