Memorex: Difference between revisions

Memorex Corp.
	Memorex logo used between 1993 and 2008
Company type	Public
Industry	Computer peripherals, computer media, consumer tape
Founded	1961
Founder	Laurence L. Spitters, Arnold T. Challman, Donald F. Eldridge, W. Lawrence Noon
Defunct	November 1996
Fate	Brand currently owned by Digital Products International

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Latest revision as of 00:50, 10 December 2024

Memorex Corp. began as a computer tape producer and expanded to become both a consumer media supplier and a major IBM plug compatible peripheral supplier. It was broken up and ceased to exist after 1996 other than as a consumer electronics brand specializing in disk recordable media for CD and DVD drives, flash memory, computer accessories and other electronics.

History and evolution

Established in 1961 in Silicon Valley, Memorex started by selling computer tapes, then added other media such as disk packs. The company then expanded into disk drives and other peripheral equipment for IBM mainframes. During the 1970s and into the early 1980s, Memorex was worldwide one of the largest independent suppliers of disk drives and communications controllers to users of IBM-compatible mainframes, as well as media for computer uses and consumers. The company's name is a portmanteau of "memory excellence".^[1]

Memorex entered the consumer media business in 1971 and started the ad campaign, first with its "shattering glass" advertisements and then with a series of legendary^[2] television commercials featuring Ella Fitzgerald. In the commercials, she would sing a note that shattered a glass while being recorded to a Memorex audio cassette. The tape was played back and the recording also broke the glass, asking "Is it live, or is it Memorex?" This would become the company slogan which was used in a series of advertisements released through 1970s and 1980s.

In 1982, Memorex was bought by Burroughs for its enterprise businesses; the company's consumer business, a small segment of the company's revenue at that time was sold to Tandy.^[3] Over the next six years, Burroughs and its successor Unisys shut down, sold off or spun out the various remaining parts of Memorex.

The computer media, communications and IBM end user sales and service organization were spun out as Memorex International. In 1988, Memorex International acquired the Telex Corporation becoming Memorex Telex NV, a corporation based in the Netherlands, which survived as an entity until the middle 1990s.^[4] The company evolved into a provider of information technology solutions including the distribution and integration of data network and storage products and the provision of related services in 18 countries worldwide. As late as 2006, several pieces existed as subsidiaries of other companies, see e.g., Memorex Telex Japan Ltd^[5] a subsidiary of Kanematsu^[6] or Memorex Telex (UK) Ltd. a subsidiary of EDS Global Field Services.^[7]

Over time the Memorex consumer brand has been owned by Tandy, Hanny Holdings and Imation. As of 2016, the Memorex brand is owned by Digital Products International (DPI).^[8]

Timeline

1961 – Memorex is founded by Laurence L. Spitters, Arnold T. Challman, Donald F. Eldridge and W Lawrence Noon with Spitters as president.^[9]
1962 – Memorex is one of the early independent companies to ship computer tape.
May 1965 – Memorex IPO's at $25 and closes at $32.
1966 – Memorex is first independent company to ship a disk pack.
Jun 1968 – Memorex is first to ship an IBM-plug-compatible disk drive
1970 – Memorex ships 1270 Communications Controller, an IBM 27xx/37xx compatible terminal controller
1971 – With CBS Memorex forms CMX Systems, a company formed to design videotape editing systems
Sep 1971 – Memorex launches its consumer tape business
1972 – Memorex launches its "Is it live, or is it Memorex?" campaign
Apr 1981 – Burroughs acquires Memorex
Apr 1982 – Burroughs sells Memorex consumer brand to Tandy
May 1985 – Burroughs exits OEM disk drive business, selling sales and service to Toshiba
Sep 1986 – Burroughs acquires Sperry and renames itself as Unisys
Dec 1986 – Unisys spins off Memorex Media, Telecommunications and International businesses as Memorex International NV.
Jan 1988 – Memorex-Telex merger^[10]
Dec 1988 – Unisys mainly shuts down large disk business and spins off service and repair as Sequel.
Nov 1993 – Tandy sells Memorex consumer brand to Hanny Holdings of Hong Kong^[11]
Oct 1996 – The U.S. operations of Memorex Telex NV filed for bankruptcy and with court approval were sold November 1, 1996.^[12]
Jan 2006 – Imation acquires Memorex brand for $330 million.^[13]
Jan 2016 – Imation closed on the sale of its Memorex trademark and two associated trademark licenses to DPI Inc., a St. Louis-based branded consumer electronics company for $9.4 million.^[14]
Jan 2024 – Finest Brands, Inc. a Los Angeles-based brand management firm, announces its acquisition of the Memorex brand, its associated global trademark and IP portfolio and its licensees. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.^[15]

References

^ Raimondi, Donna (March 17, 1986). "Memorex marks 25th birthday by streamlining operations". Computerworld. XX (11): 125 – via Google Books.
^ Mercer, Michelle (September 3, 2019). "The Voice That Shattered Glass". NPR. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
^ "Memorex History: How a Tech Pioneer Turned Into a Basic Brand". Tedium: The Dull Side of the Internet. 8 September 2021. Retrieved 2022-08-14.
^ "SEC Filing for MEMOREX TELEX N.V. (1996)"
^ Memorex Telex Japan Homepage Archived 2006-04-08 at the Wayback Machine
^ Kanematsu 2008 Annual Report Archived 2011-10-08 at the Wayback Machine
^ http://www.memorex-telex.com/aboutus/^{[permanent dead link‍]}
^ GlassBridge Enterprises, Inc., FORM 10-K, Mar 15 2016
^ Memorex Private Placement Memo circa 1961
^ Information Technology Industry TimeLine Archived 2006-04-10 at the Wayback Machine
^ "About Memorex" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-05-09. Retrieved 2006-03-23.
^ MEMOREX TELEX N V Quarterly Report, for period ending September 30, 1996
^ Gardner, W. David, [www.informationweek.com/imation-to-acquire-memorex-for-$330-million/d/d-id/1039762 "Imation To Acquire Memorex For $330 Million"], InformationWeek, January 20, 2006
^ Imation 8k
^ Memorex Acquisition Press Release, January 9, 2024

External links

[1] Raimondi, Donna (March 17, 1986). "Memorex marks 25th birthday by streamlining operations". Computerworld. XX (11): 125 – via Google Books.

[2] Mercer, Michelle (September 3, 2019). "The Voice That Shattered Glass". NPR. Retrieved August 29, 2020.

[3] "Memorex History: How a Tech Pioneer Turned Into a Basic Brand". Tedium: The Dull Side of the Internet. 8 September 2021. Retrieved 2022-08-14.

[4] "SEC Filing for MEMOREX TELEX N.V. (1996)"

[5] Memorex Telex Japan Homepage Archived 2006-04-08 at the Wayback Machine

[6] Kanematsu 2008 Annual Report Archived 2011-10-08 at the Wayback Machine

[7] ttp://www.memorex-telex.com/aboutus/^{[permanent dead link‍]}

[8] GlassBridge Enterprises, Inc., FORM 10-K, Mar 15 2016

[9] Memorex Private Placement Memo circa 1961

[10] Information Technology Industry TimeLine Archived 2006-04-10 at the Wayback Machine

[11] "About Memorex" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-05-09. Retrieved 2006-03-23.

[12] MEMOREX TELEX N V Quarterly Report, for period ending September 30, 1996

[13] Gardner, W. David, [www.informationweek.com/imation-to-acquire-memorex-for-$330-million/d/d-id/1039762 "Imation To Acquire Memorex For $330 Million"], InformationWeek, January 20, 2006

[14] Imation 8k

[15] Memorex Acquisition Press Release, January 9, 2024

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|Brand for Consumer Electronics}}
 {{Infobox company
 | name = Memorex Corp.
@@ Line 14: / Line 15: @@
 == History and evolution ==
-[[File:Magnetic tape hg.jpg|thumb|200px|MRX V Memorex magnetic tape]]
+[[File:Magnetic tape hg.jpg|thumb|MRX V Memorex magnetic tape]]
-Established in 1961 in [[Silicon Valley]], Memorex started by selling computer tapes, then added other media such as disk packs. The company then expanded into [[disk drive]]s and other peripheral equipment for [[IBM]] [[Mainframe computer|mainframe]]s. During the 1970s and into the early 1980s, Memorex was worldwide one of the largest independent suppliers of [[hard disk drive|disk drives]] and [[communications controller]]s to users of IBM-compatible mainframes, as well as media for computer uses and consumers. The company's name is a [[portmanteau]] of "memory excellence".<ref>{{cite journal | last=Raimondi | first=Donna | date=March 17, 1986 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Be0h4cB68CYC&pg=PA125 | title=Memorex marks 25th birthday by streamlining operations | work=Computerworld | volume=XX | issue=11 | page=125 | via=Google Books}}</ref>
+Established in 1961 in [[Silicon Valley]], Memorex started by selling computer tapes, then added other media such as disk packs. The company then expanded into [[disk drive]]s and other peripheral equipment for [[IBM]] [[Mainframe computer|mainframe]]s. During the 1970s and into the early 1980s, Memorex was worldwide one of the largest independent suppliers of [[hard disk drive|disk drives]] and [[communications controller]]s to users of IBM-compatible mainframes, as well as media for computer uses and consumers. The company's name is a [[portmanteau]] of "memory excellence".<ref>{{cite journal | last=Raimondi | first=Donna | date=March 17, 1986 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Be0h4cB68CYC&pg=PA125 | title=Memorex marks 25th birthday by streamlining operations | journal=Computerworld | volume=XX | issue=11 | page=125 | via=Google Books}}</ref>
 [[File:Memorex MD.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Memorex brand [[MiniDisc]]]]
@@ Line 28: / Line 29: @@
 }}</ref> [[television commercial]]s featuring [[Ella Fitzgerald]]. In the commercials, she would sing a note that shattered a glass while being recorded to a Memorex [[audio cassette]]. The tape was played back and the recording also broke the glass, asking "Is it live, or is it Memorex?" This would become the company slogan which was used in a series of advertisements released through 1970s and 1980s.
-In 1982, Memorex was bought by [[Burroughs Corporation|Burroughs]]. Over the next six years, Burroughs and its successor [[Unisys]] shut down, sold off or spun out the various parts of Memorex.
+In 1982, Memorex was bought by [[Burroughs Corporation|Burroughs]] for its enterprise businesses; the company's consumer business, a small segment of the company's revenue at that time was sold to Tandy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Memorex History: How a Tech Pioneer Turned Into a Basic Brand |url=https://tedium.co/2021/09/03/memorex-tape-history/ |access-date=2022-08-14 |website=Tedium: The Dull Side of the Internet. |date=8 September 2021 |language=en}}</ref> Over the next six years, Burroughs and its successor [[Unisys]] shut down, sold off or spun out the various remaining parts of Memorex.
-The computer media, communications and IBM end user sales and service organization were spun out as Memorex International. In 1988, Memorex International acquired the Telex Corporation becoming '''Memorex Telex''' NV, a corporation based in the [[Netherlands]], which survived as an entity until the middle 1990s.<ref>[https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/818035/0000912057-96-027150.txt "SEC Filing for MEMOREX TELEX N.V. (1996)"]</ref> The company evolved into a provider of information technology solutions including the distribution and integration of data network and storage products and the provision of related services in 18 countries worldwide. As late as 2006, several pieces existed as subsidiaries of other companies, see e.g., Memorex Telex Japan Ltd<ref>[http://www.memorex.co.jp/ Memorex Telex Japan Homepage<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060408231402/http://www.memorex.co.jp/ |date=2006-04-08 }}</ref> a subsidiary of Kanematsu<ref>[http://www.kanematsu.co.jp/Portals/0/pdf/ar/kg_ar2008.pdf Kanematsu 2008 Annual Report] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008235215/http://www.kanematsu.co.jp/Portals/0/pdf/ar/kg_ar2008.pdf |date=2011-10-08 }}</ref> or Memorex Telex (UK) Ltd. a subsidiary of EDS Global Field Services.<ref>http://www.memorex-telex.com/aboutus/{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
+The computer media, communications and IBM end user sales and service organization were spun out as Memorex International. In 1988, Memorex International acquired the [[Telex Communications|Telex Corporation]] becoming '''Memorex Telex''' NV, a corporation based in the [[Netherlands]], which survived as an entity until the middle 1990s.<ref>[https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/818035/0000912057-96-027150.txt "SEC Filing for MEMOREX TELEX N.V. (1996)"]</ref> The company evolved into a provider of information technology solutions including the distribution and integration of data network and storage products and the provision of related services in 18 countries worldwide. As late as 2006, several pieces existed as subsidiaries of other companies, see e.g., Memorex Telex Japan Ltd<ref>[http://www.memorex.co.jp/ Memorex Telex Japan Homepage<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060408231402/http://www.memorex.co.jp/ |date=2006-04-08 }}</ref> a subsidiary of Kanematsu<ref>[http://www.kanematsu.co.jp/Portals/0/pdf/ar/kg_ar2008.pdf Kanematsu 2008 Annual Report] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008235215/http://www.kanematsu.co.jp/Portals/0/pdf/ar/kg_ar2008.pdf |date=2011-10-08 }}</ref> or Memorex Telex (UK) Ltd. a subsidiary of EDS Global Field Services.<ref>http://www.memorex-telex.com/aboutus/{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
-Over time the Memorex consumer brand has been owned by Tandy, Handy Holdings and Imation. As of 2016, the [https://www.memorex.com Memorex brand] is owned by [https://www.dpiinc.com Digital Products International] (DPI).<ref>[https://seekingalpha.com/filing/2946964 GlassBridge Enterprises, Inc., FORM 10-K, Mar 15 2016]</ref>
+Over time the Memorex consumer brand has been owned by Tandy, Hanny Holdings and Imation. As of 2016, the Memorex brand is owned by Digital Products International (DPI).<ref>[https://seekingalpha.com/filing/2946964 GlassBridge Enterprises, Inc., FORM 10-K, Mar 15 2016]</ref>
 ==Timeline==
-*1961 - Memorex is founded by [[Laurence L. Spitters]], Arnold T. Challman, Donald F. Eldridge and W Lawrence Noon with Spitters as President.<ref>[http://corphist.computerhistory.org/corphist/documents/doc-43385ed292719.pdf Memorex Private Placement Memo circa 1961]</ref>
+*1961 – Memorex is founded by [[Laurence L. Spitters]], Arnold T. Challman, Donald F. Eldridge and W Lawrence Noon with Spitters as president.<ref>[http://corphist.computerhistory.org/corphist/documents/doc-43385ed292719.pdf Memorex Private Placement Memo circa 1961]</ref>
-*1962 - Memorex is one of the early independent companies to ship computer tape.
+*1962 – Memorex is one of the early independent companies to ship computer tape.
-*May 1965 - Memorex IPO's at $25 and closes at $32.
+*May 1965 – Memorex IPO's at $25 and closes at $32.
-*1966 - Memorex is first independent company to ship a disk pack.
+*1966 – Memorex is first independent company to ship a disk pack.
-*Jun 1968 - Memorex is first to ship an IBM-plug-compatible disk drive
+*Jun 1968 – Memorex is first to ship an IBM-plug-compatible disk drive
-*1970 - Memorex ships 1270 Communications Controller
+*1970 – Memorex ships 1270 Communications Controller, an IBM 27xx/37xx compatible [[terminal controller]]
-*1971 - With [[CBS]] Memorex forms [[CMX Systems]], a company formed to design [[videotape]] editing systems
+*1971 – With [[CBS]] Memorex forms [[CMX Systems]], a company formed to design [[videotape]] editing systems
-*Sep 1971 - Memorex launches its consumer tape business
+*Sep 1971 – Memorex launches its consumer tape business
-*1972 - Memorex launches its "Is it live, or is it Memorex?" campaign
+*1972 – Memorex launches its "Is it live, or is it Memorex?" campaign
-*Apr 1981 - Burroughs acquires Memorex
+*Apr 1981 – Burroughs acquires Memorex
-*Apr 1982 - Burroughs sells Memorex consumer brand to [[Tandy Corporation|Tandy]]
+*Apr 1982 – Burroughs sells Memorex consumer brand to [[Tandy Corporation|Tandy]]
-*May 1985 - Burroughs exits OEM disk drive business, selling sales and service to [[Toshiba]]
+*May 1985 – Burroughs exits OEM disk drive business, selling sales and service to [[Toshiba]]
-*Sep 1986 - Burroughs acquires [[Sperry Corporation|Sperry]] and renames itself as [[Unisys]]
+*Sep 1986 – Burroughs acquires [[Sperry Corporation|Sperry]] and renames itself as [[Unisys]]
-*Dec 1986 - Unisys spins off Memorex Media, Telecommunications and International businesses as Memorex International [[Naamloze vennootschap|NV]].
+*Dec 1986 – Unisys spins off Memorex Media, Telecommunications and International businesses as Memorex International [[Naamloze vennootschap|NV]].
-*Jan 1988 - Memorex-Telex merger<ref>[http://febcm.club.fr/english/information_technology/information_technology_4.htm Information Technology Industry TimeLine<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060410180633/http://febcm.club.fr/english/information_technology/information_technology_4.htm |date=2006-04-10 }}</ref>
+*Jan 1988 – Memorex-Telex merger<ref>[http://febcm.club.fr/english/information_technology/information_technology_4.htm Information Technology Industry TimeLine<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060410180633/http://febcm.club.fr/english/information_technology/information_technology_4.htm |date=2006-04-10 }}</ref>
-*Dec 1988 - Unisys mainly shuts down large disk business and spins off service and repair as Sequel.
+*Dec 1988 – Unisys mainly shuts down large disk business and spins off service and repair as Sequel.
-*Nov 1993 - Tandy sells Memorex consumer brand to [[Hanny Holdings]] of [[Hong Kong]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.memorex.com/images/About_Memorex.pdf |title=About Memorex |access-date=2006-03-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060509071217/http://www.memorex.com/images/About_Memorex.pdf |archive-date=2006-05-09 }}</ref>
+*Nov 1993 – Tandy sells Memorex consumer brand to [[Hanny Holdings]] of [[Hong Kong]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.memorex.com/images/About_Memorex.pdf |title=About Memorex |access-date=2006-03-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060509071217/http://www.memorex.com/images/About_Memorex.pdf |archive-date=2006-05-09 }}</ref>
-*Oct 1996 - The U.S. operations of Memorex Telex NV filed for bankruptcy and with court approval were sold November 1, 1996.<ref>[https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/818035/0000912057-96-027150.txt MEMOREX TELEX N V Quarterly Report, for period ending September 30, 1996]</ref>
+*Oct 1996 – The U.S. operations of Memorex Telex NV filed for bankruptcy and with court approval were sold November 1, 1996.<ref>[https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/818035/0000912057-96-027150.txt MEMOREX TELEX N V Quarterly Report, for period ending September 30, 1996]</ref>
-*Jan 2006 - [[Imation]] acquires Memorex brand for $330 million.<ref>Gardner, W. David,   [www.informationweek.com/imation-to-acquire-memorex-for-$330-million/d/d-id/1039762 "Imation To Acquire Memorex For $330 Million"], ''[[InformationWeek]]'', January 20, 2006</ref>
+*Jan 2006 – [[Imation]] acquires Memorex brand for $330 million.<ref>Gardner, W. David,   [www.informationweek.com/imation-to-acquire-memorex-for-$330-million/d/d-id/1039762 "Imation To Acquire Memorex For $330 Million"], ''[[InformationWeek]]'', January 20, 2006</ref>
-*Jan 2016 - Imation closed on the sale of its Memorex trademark and two associated trademark licenses to DPI Inc., a St. Louis-based branded consumer electronics company for $9.4 million.<ref>[https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1014111/000115752316004174/a51255820.htm Imation 8k]</ref>
+*Jan 2016 – Imation closed on the sale of its Memorex trademark and two associated trademark licenses to DPI Inc., a St. Louis-based branded consumer electronics company for $9.4 million.<ref>[https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1014111/000115752316004174/a51255820.htm Imation 8k]</ref>
+*Jan 2024 – Finest Brands, Inc. a Los Angeles-based brand management firm, announces its acquisition of the Memorex brand, its associated global trademark and IP portfolio and its licensees. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.<ref>[https://issuu.com/futurepublishing/docs/ces_day1_2024/16 Memorex Acquisition Press Release, January 9, 2024]</ref>
 ==References==
@@ Line 60: / Line 62: @@
 ==External links==
-*[http://www.computerhistory.org/corphist/view.php?s=select&cid=9 Memorex History at Computer History Museum website]
+* [https://www.memorex.com Memorex brand site]
+* [http://www.computerhistory.org/corphist/view.php?s=select&cid=9 Memorex History at Computer History Museum website]
 {{Hard disk drive manufacturers}}
+{{Authority control}}
-[[Category:Electronics companies established in 1961]]
+[[Category:1961 establishments in California]]
-[[Category:Electronics companies of the United States]]
-[[Category:Computer companies of the United States]]
-[[Category:Computer storage companies]]
 [[Category:American brands]]
+[[Category:American companies established in 1961]]
+[[Category:American companies disestablished in 1996]]
+[[Category:Computer companies established in 1961]]
+[[Category:Computer companies disestablished in 1996]]
+[[Category:Defunct computer companies based in California]]
+[[Category:Defunct computer companies of the United States]]
+[[Category:Defunct computer hardware companies]]
+[[Category:Computer storage companies]]
+[[Category:Electronics companies established in 1961]]
+[[Category:Electronics companies disestablished in 1996]]
+[[Category:Defunct electronics companies of the United States]]
+[[Category:Technology companies established in 1961]]
+[[Category:Technology companies disestablished in 1996]]
 [[Category:RadioShack]]
-[[Category:1961 establishments in California]]

v t e Hard disk drive manufacturers
History of hard disk drives IBM magnetic disk drives List of defunct hard disk manufacturers
Current	Seagate Technology Toshiba Western Digital
Defunct	3M Alps Electric Ampex Anelex Areal Technology Avatar Systems BASF Bryant Computer Products Burroughs C. Itoh Castlewood Systems Calcomp Caelus Memories CII-Honeywell-Bull Computer Memories, Inc. Conner Peripherals Cornice Data Disc Data General Datapoint Dataproducts Diablo Systems Digital Equipment Corporation Emulex Epson ExcelStor Technology Fuji Electric Fujitsu General Electric GS Magicstor Hewlett-Packard HGST Hitachi Hokushin Electric Works Hyosung IBM AdStar Imprimis (CDC) Intégral Peripherals Iomega JT Storage JVC Kennedy Kyocera Librascope Maxtor Memorex Micropolis MiniScribe MiniStor Peripherals Mitsubishi Mitsumi Electric NCR NEC Nippon Electric Industry Nomaï Ohio Scientific Okidata Olivetti OPE Panasonic Pertec Computer Philips Plus Development Potter Instrument PrairieTek Priam Quantum Ricoh Rodime SAGEM Samsung Electronics Sequel Shugart Associates Siemens StorageTek SyQuest Technology Tandon TEAC Texas Instruments Tokico Xebec YE-Data