204:. Innovation found raising the capital necessary to produce the computer difficult—in Voight's words, "a suicidal attempt"—on account of the skepticism of local investors in raising a high-technology firm in that area of Wisconsin. Unable to manufacture a computer with ComputerLand's specified timeframe, ComputerLand ended up purchasing Innovation's design and had manufacturing outsourced in East Asia. ComputerLand's version of Innovation's PC design was branded the BC-88 and resold at ComputerLand's retail locations.
385:, the Soviet Union's last low-orbit space station. The Soviets placed another order worth $ 2 million for Innovation's laptops in March 1991, shortly before their dissolution in December that year. Voigt continued to work with the Russian Federation in the succeeding decades under his successor company American Innovation. Innovation let the rights to their namesake lapse in 1996, by which the company was defunct. For his contributions to space technology, the Russian Federation awarded Voigt with a
24:
379:), which sold Innovation's computers to various organizations in the Soviet Union. Innovation received its first order via I3C from the Institute for Automated Systems, a Soviet information technology firm. Innovation later received a $ 6.5-million order for 80286-powered laptops via I3C, to be used in
262:
and runs the computer off an 7.8 MHz compatible processor; a key combination allows the processor board to revert to the stock clock speed. In April 1988, they released a line of "upgrade kits" allowing users to replace the motherboard of their existing IBM PC or compatible with the 1010 XT
311:
with a holding company in Boston to form
Innovation International. The Boston-based company, owned by Frank G. Wright, had also been interested in Soviet computer trading. With the reverse merger, Innovation gained $ 8 million in capital to expand their lease and accommodate more production
168:
in
Wisconsin, founding their electronics division and becoming an executive at the company. In 1979, he founded Innovation as an electronics consulting firm and designer of circuit boards for industrial applications, chiefly doing business with firms in the Midwestern United States.
319:
desktop computer with 3.5-inch floppy disk drives, while the 2000 ST was a very-small-form-factor computer enclosed in a 2.5 by 6 by 15 inches (6.4 by 15.2 by 38.1 cm) case. The 2000 ST (nicknamed the
Stealth PC) featured a matte black finish and a flat-panel, monochrome
212:, ultimately leasing a warehouse formerly owned by the Hipke Packing Corporation in which to assemble computers. Although slated for an August 1986 release, their first computer, the 1010 XT, did not ship until June 1987. The 1010 XT specced according to IBM's
295:, which had difficulty supplying advanced personal computers for itself around the late 1980s. This merger was worked out both to effectively gain more capital for the three companies and to allow the companies to more efficiently supply computer products to
207:
In July 1986, by which point the company had only 10 employees, Innovation finally received $ 1.2 million in capital from Steve
Einhorn, an investor from Milwaukee. Immediately after the capital infusion, Innovation began moving into nearby
306:
New
Software eventually instigated a de-merger of the three companies, however, seeking another group of companies to do business with. By October 1988, the companies were once again independent. In November 1988, Innovation
355:
microcomputer, which despite lacking in processing power compared to the IBM PCs and compatibles of the late 1980s was still lauded for its far superior sound-generating capability. The SSI-2001 received high accolades in
246:
gave the 1010 XT a positive review, and by August 1987, Innovation was selling over 500 units a month. Innovation succeed the 1010 XT with the 2010 AT Personal
Workstation, based on IBM's
196:
reselling it and including it in their personal computers as value-adds between 1983 and 1986; the company reportedly made $ 4 million in revenue in 1985. In
January 1986, ComputerLand of
267:
the customer's existing computer investments. The upgrade kit line included the 1010P (upgrading original PC-class systems to the XT); the 2010P (upgrading PC-class systems to the AT and its
1093:
1088:
1083:
303:. The resulting joint venture became known as Elorg Soft, with Innovation supplying the kit of computer components for factories in the Soviet Union to assemble.
240:
functionality than most PC clones of the era. As
ComputerLand had done with the BC-88, Innovation had the 1010 XT manufactured overseas, in South Korea. The
1078:
1098:
1103:
283:
Between
February 1988 and May 1988, Innovation merged three ways with two other companies: first with software developer New Software International of
1073:
386:
300:
161:
1046:
1113:
1108:
224:, the computer's processors and critical support circuitry instead reside on an expansion card that slots into one of eight available
180:. The two subcontracted manufacturing of the peripheral's circuit boards to various nearby fabricators, including Control Products of
1024:
988:"Some US firms use bartering, advance payment with Soviets: Getting paid has become a major stumbling block for American companies"
315:
In
December 1988, Innovation unveiled two 286-based desktop computers, the 2000 ST and the 2000 ET. The 2000 ET was a conventional
328:
and standing base that could optionally be mounted to a wall or affixed to a corner of a desk. This Luxo-esque design predated
136:
718:
225:
153:
116:
62:
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mode. Also cutting-edge for the time, the computer comes with a robust hardware configuration and diagnostic utility in the
1006:
950:
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684:
533:
488:
469:
437:
228:
slots. The computer supports both the standard 4.77 MHz operation of the original IBM PC as well as an 8 MHz
795:
343:
sound card for the IBM PC. Also known as the Innovation Sound Standard, the SSI-2001 is notable for featuring a
164:
with a degree in applied science and engineering in the early 1970s. Shortly after, he gained employment at the
284:
248:
213:
898:
131:
sound card. Innovation was one of the first American personal computer companies to do business with the
500:
372:
316:
189:
177:
124:
1054:
861:. No. 63. Golden Empire Publications. September 1989. p. 19 – via the Internet Archive.
854:
271:
processor); the 2010I (upgrading XT-class systems to AT); and the 3020I (upgrading AT-class systems to
969:"Computer link to the USSR: How to do business with the Soviets? Here's a lesson from rural Wisconsin"
288:
255:
209:
324:(measuring 8 by 11 by 3 in) with a reticulating metal arm reminiscent of a
344:
340:
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128:
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backplane and the customer's choice of processor card. Innovation sold these kits on the basis of
876:
586:
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181:
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Innovation repurposed their processor-on-a-card technology for an expansion for Leading Edge's
714:
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636:
927:
832:
557:
152:
Innovation was founded by Steve Voigt as Innovation Company in 1979 and incorporated in the
513:
358:
23:
710:
The New Wizard War: How the Soviets Steal U.S. High Technology, and How We Give It Away
321:
308:
1067:
390:
299:, a state-owned organization that was the computer trading arm of the Soviet Union's
237:
157:
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1025:"Innovation Trademark (Registration Number 1592781 – Serial Number 73653005)"
268:
221:
987:
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259:
258:. Called the Innovation D-Z, the card takes over the Model D's stock 4.77-MHz
172:
In around 1983, Innovation formed a joint venture with Bronson Electronics of
165:
217:
119:, and active from 1979 to the early 1990s. The company produced a number of
291:. All three companies had nascent plans to supply computer products to the
364:
371:
In November 1988, Innovation International formed a joint venture with
333:
351:
of choice. The so-called SID chip was primarily the domain of the
287:, and later with systems integrator California Microelecronics of
558:"Local firms find that it pays to manufacture copycat computers"
325:
272:
233:
597:(26). IDG Publications: 40. June 1987 – via Google Books.
176:, and together they manufactured a color graphics card for the
912:(2). McGraw-Hill: 40. February 1990 – via Vintage Apple.
381:
193:
127:, as well as several expansions and peripherals, such as the
691:: B-15. February 28, 1988 – via the Internet Archive.
637:"'Upgrade Kits' for XTs, ATs Let Users Protect Investments"
938:(11). American City Business Journals: 4 – via Gale.
417:. R.M. O'Donnell & Company: 6 – via ProQuest.
160:. Before founding Innovation, Voigt graduated from the
685:"State computer firm will be acquired by New Software"
887:(8). Ziff-Davis: 68 – via the Internet Archive.
670:(34). IDG Publications: 28 – via Google Books.
647:(16). IDG Publications: 28 – via Google Books.
495:. Saint George, Utah: B3 – via Newspapers.com.
411:"American Intl. Finds Local Opportunities in Russia"
389:
in the 1990s, sharing this honor with Gorbachev and
820:: 15. December 25, 1988 – via Newspapers.com.
784:: D-1. October 11, 1988 – via Newspapers.com.
534:"Cleveland computer firm punches up national sales"
98:
77:
69:
46:
38:
30:
951:"Wisconsin computer firm carves niche in U.S.S.R."
802:: 8A. October 14, 1989 – via Newspapers.com.
766:: 17. October 7, 1988 – via Newspapers.com.
115:) was an American computer company based in the
1094:Defunct computer companies of the United States
1053:. Gannett Company. July 2, 2016. Archived from
444:: 22. July 10, 1986 – via Newspapers.com.
200:, commissioned Innovation for the design of an
778:"Innovation Computer mergers with Boston firm"
679:
677:
470:"Lakeshore firm quietly cranks out computers"
8:
732:
730:
16:
843:(3). Lotus Publishing: 18 – via Gale.
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455:
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22:
15:
1007:"Man shares honor with Reagan, Gorbachev"
921:
919:
754:
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702:
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613:Sandberg-Diment, Erik (August 16, 1987).
568:(46). American City Business Journals: 4
432:
430:
428:
426:
424:
739:"Firm plans joint venture with Soviets"
401:
312:lines at their Cleveland headquarters.
1089:Computer companies established in 1979
1084:American companies established in 1979
509:
498:
415:Northeastern Wisconsin Business Review
339:In mid-1989, the company released the
135:in the late 1980s, shortly before its
713:. Tempus Publishing. pp. 91–92.
660:"Innovation Board Speeds the Model D"
608:
606:
604:
551:
549:
547:
184:. Innovation's cards sold well, with
7:
1079:1990s disestablishments in Wisconsin
814:"Cleveland firm unveils 2 computers"
658:Brownstein, Mark (August 24, 1987).
581:
579:
1099:Defunct computer hardware companies
949:Robinson, Duncan (April 12, 1990).
760:"Cleveland computer firm to expand"
737:Hiday, Jeffrey L. (March 6, 1988).
1104:Defunct computer systems companies
986:Freese, Mildred (March 18, 1991).
615:"A PC That Has Plenty of Backbone"
476:: B-11 – via Newspapers.com.
438:"New Computer Firm Eyes Sheboygan"
14:
1005:Eckardt, Mary (January 2, 2005).
745:: 43H – via Newspapers.com.
707:Metcalfe, Robyn Shotwell (1988).
635:LaPlante, Alan (April 18, 1988).
468:Schmeling, Peg (August 2, 1987).
375:of Moscow called I3C (pronounced
162:University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
1074:1979 establishments in Wisconsin
1013:: A3 – via Newspapers.com.
956:: 6B – via Newspapers.com.
855:"Innovation SSI2001 Sound Board"
556:Jensen, Dave (August 29, 1988).
540:: 15 – via Newspapers.com.
154:village of Cleveland, Wisconsin
117:village of Cleveland, Wisconsin
109:Innovation Computer Corporation
17:Innovation Computer Corporation
831:Smith, Jennifer (March 1989).
562:The Business Journal-Milwaukee
487:Warner, Jack (June 14, 1987).
409:Howard, Thad (December 1992).
279:Merger era (1988 – 1990s)
1:
1031:. Justia. n.d. Archived from
875:Latimer, Joey (August 1989).
532:Wigg, Rita (March 13, 1988).
81:
967:Norman, Jack (May 1, 1991).
926:Witt, Louise (May 7, 1990).
1114:Manitowoc County, Wisconsin
1109:Graphics hardware companies
877:"Innovation Sound Standard"
621:: A12 – via ProQuest.
148:Independent era (1979–1988)
86:; 28 years ago
52:; 45 years ago
1130:
994:: C9 – via ProQuest.
975:: C6 – via ProQuest.
899:"Musical Prayers Answered"
723:– via Google Books.
489:"A Motherboardless Child"
345:MOS Technology 6581 "SID"
301:Ministry of Foreign Trade
21:
285:Attleboro, Massachusetts
236:, bringing it closer to
932:Boston Business Journal
782:Green Bay Press-Gazette
689:Green Bay Press-Gazette
474:Green Bay Press-Gazette
332:'s similarly designed
216:but featured a unique
928:"Computers to Moscow"
859:Computer Gaming World
743:The Naples Daily News
220:design: instead of a
190:Leading Edge Products
178:IBM Personal Computer
1057:on January 16, 2024.
1035:on January 16, 2024.
289:Campbell, California
210:Sheboygan, Wisconsin
63:Cleveland, Wisconsin
1011:The Sheboygan Press
818:The Sheboygan Press
764:The Sheboygan Press
538:The Sheboygan Press
442:The Sheboygan Press
198:Hayward, California
137:dissolution in 1991
18:
619:The New York Times
508:Unknown parameter
493:The Daily Spectrum
174:Seymour, Wisconsin
113:Innovation Company
1029:Justia Trademarks
992:Milwaukee Journal
973:Milwaukee Journal
954:The Journal Times
800:York Daily Record
796:"Business briefs"
572:– via Gale.
202:IBM PC compatible
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1055:the original
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1047:"Who's news"
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186:ComputerLand
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133:Soviet Union
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31:Company type
373:NPO Energia
368:magazines.
222:motherboard
102:Dissolution
73:Steve Voigt
1068:Categories
720:1556150164
397:References
349:sound chip
260:Intel 8088
156:, off the
111:(formerly
664:InfoWorld
641:InfoWorld
587:"Systems"
512:ignored (
387:medallion
377:I Cubed C
326:Luxo lamp
218:backplane
881:Compute!
365:Compute!
341:SSI-2001
129:SSI-2001
42:Computer
39:Industry
347:as the
334:iMac G4
256:Model D
182:Grafton
143:History
123:of the
89: (
78:Defunct
70:Founder
55: (
47:Founded
717:
570:et seq
192:, and
125:IBM PC
121:clones
34:Public
902:(PDF)
837:Lotus
330:Apple
297:ELORG
269:80286
249:PC AT
230:turbo
214:PC XT
906:Byte
715:ISBN
514:help
362:and
359:Byte
273:i386
234:BIOS
99:Fate
91:1996
84:1996
57:1979
50:1979
595:XXI
382:Mir
275:).
226:ISA
194:IBM
61:in
1070::
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990:.
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867:^
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643:.
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627:^
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522:^
505::
503:}}
499:{{
491:.
472:.
450:^
440:.
423:^
413:.
393:.
251:.
188:,
139:.
82:c.
841:5
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93:)
59:)
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
