Information Control Systems
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| Industry | Word Processing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1962 |
| Headquarters | Ann Arbor, Michigan , United States |
Number of locations | Washington, DC; Chicago, IL; New York, NY; Boston, MA; Detroit, MI |
Key people | Charles Newman, David Carlson, Charles Schaldenbrand, Ken Burkhalter |
| Products | Astrotype, Astrocomp |
Number of employees | 105 |
From 1962 through 1969, Information Control Systems performed computer programming and data processing services. Beginning in 1969, the company began first shipments of text input and editing products, based on proprietary software using Digital Equipment Corporation PDP-8 mini computers and modified IBM Selectric typewriters.[1] These were among the earliest commercial products to use computers and software to edit and store text. Prices ranged from $36,000 for a single typing station model, to $59,000 for a model with four typing stations.
The two primary products were Astrotype (first shipped April, 1969) and Astrocomp (first shipped February, 1969). Astrotype allowed the speedy production of error-free typewritten text for single page documents, as well as multi-page and multi-volume documents where editing changes were a recurring, on-going requirement. All document types required text editing functions, and longer documents required document storage (magnetic tape) functions as well.
The primary function of the Astrocomp product was the original typing and subsequent editing of text intended to be set into type, either on a Linotype machine or on photocomposition equipment from manufacturers such as AM/Varityper, Merganthaler, and the Compugraphic Corporation. The Astrocomp product produced punched paper tape or magnetic tape that contained both the text and codes needed to drive these devices.
Customers
- RR Donnelley
- First National Bank (Chicago)
- Time/Life Books
- Chi Systems
- Ohio Bell Telephone
- Weaver Composition
- Foxboro Co.
- Curtiss-Wright
- Stone & Webster Engineering
- Western Electric
- Montgomery Ward