Computer Peripherals: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Former printer manufacturer}}

'''Computer Peripherals, Inc.''' ('''CPI''') was an [[United States|American]] manufacturer of [[computer printer]]s, based in [[Rochester, Michigan|Rochester]], [[Michigan]]. Its precursor, '''Holley Computer Products''', was formed as a [[joint venture]] between [[Control Data Corporation]] (CDC) and the [[Holley Carburetor Company]] in April [[1962]].

{{About|the company|auxiliary devices|Peripheral}}

{{More citations needed|date=November 2019}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2014}}

{{Infobox company

Holley Computer developed and produced a series of [[computer printer#line printers|drum printer]]s. In June [[1964]], CDC bought out Holley and partnered with [[NCR Corporation|NCR]] and [[International Computers Ltd|ICL]] to form CPI in Rochester. In [[1978]] CDC bought controlling interest of CPI. CPI produced several [[computer printer#line printers|train printer]]s under the CDC and Fastrain brands, including the CDC Model 512 (1967), the Fastrain A 1200 LPM (1969) and the Fastrain 9372-III 2000 LPM (1976).

| name = Computer Peripherals, Inc.

| logo = Computer Peripherals Inc.png

| logo_size = 160px

| type = [[Privately-held company|Private]]

| genre =

| fate = Merged

| predecessor = Holley Computer Products

| successor = [[Centronics]]

| foundation = 1964

| founder =

| defunct = {{End date|1982}}

| location_city = [[Rochester, Michigan|Rochester]], [[Michigan]]

| location_country = United States

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| industry =

| products = Printers

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| parent = [[Control Data Corporation]]

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'''Computer Peripherals, Inc.''' ('''CPI''') was an American manufacturer of [[Printer (computing)|computer printers]], based in [[Rochester, Michigan]].

In [[1982]], CDC acquired a controlling interest in [[Centronics]] in exchange for CPI and $25 million in cash. CPI was merged into Centronics and eventually the Rochester facility was closed. In [[1987]] the assets of Centronics' computer printer business were sold to [[GENICOM]].

CPI's precursor, Holley Computer Products, was formed as a [[joint venture]] between [[Control Data Corporation]] (CDC) and the [[Holley Performance Products|Holley Carburetor Company]] in April 1962. Holley developed and produced a series of drum printers. In June 1964, CDC bought out Holley and partnered with [[NCR Corporation|NCR]] and [[International Computers Limited|ICL]] to form CPI in Rochester.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbi.umn.edu/collections/cdc/acquisitions.html |title=CDC Acquisitions to 1984 |work=Charles Babbage Institute}}</ref> The facility was located near Rochester Road and Tienken Road, immediately north of North Hill Elementary School.

In the early 1970s CPI also had a branch in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. This division made punched card readers and 9-track magnetic tape drives for both parent companies (CDC and NCR).

In 1978 CDC bought [[controlling interest]] of CPI. CPI produced several train printers under the CDC and Fastrain brands, including the CDC Model 512 (1967), the Fastrain A 1200 LPM (1969) and the Fastrain 9372-III 2000 LPM (1976).<ref>{{cite book |last=Webster |first=Edward |year=2001 |title=Print Unchained: 50 Years of Digital Printing, 1950-2000 and Beyond |publisher=Dra of Vermont |isbn=0-9702617-0-5}}</ref>

In 1977, CPI began manufacturing printers at a factory in Stevenage, Herts, UK that was originally used for the manufacture of ICL1900 computers. By 1979, the factory also made 9-track tape drives which were used in ICL and CDC computers, and were sold with industry-standard interfaces for use with other manufacturer's computers.

In [[1982]], CDC acquired a controlling interest in [[Centronics]] in exchange for CPI and $25 million in cash. CPI was merged into Centronics and eventually the Rochester facility was closed. In [[1987]] the assets of Centronics' computer printer business were sold to [[GENICOM]].

==References==

{{Reflist}}

*{{cite book | last =Webster | first =Edward | authorlink = | coauthors = | year =2001 | title =Print Unchained : 50 Years of Digital Printing, 1950-2000 and Beyond | publisher =Dra of Vermont, Inc. | ___location = | id =ISBN 0970261705 }}

*{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = | url =http://www.cbi.umn.edu/collections/inv/cdc/cbi00080-01.html | title =CDC Records: Acquisitions, Subsidiaries, and Joint Ventures, 1952-1991 | format = | work =Charles Babbage Institute | publisher = | accessdate =7 July | accessyear =2006 }}

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[[Category:1964 establishments in Michigan]]

[[Category:1982 disestablishments in Michigan]]

[[Category:American companies established in 1964]]

[[Category:American companies disestablished in 1982]]

[[Category:Companies based in Oakland County, Michigan]]

[[Category:Computer companies established in 1964]]

[[Category:Computer companies disestablished in 1982]]

[[Category:Computer printer companies]]

[[Category:Control Data Corporation]]

[[Category:Defunct companies based in Michigan]]

[[Category:Defunct computer companies of the United States]]

[[Category:Defunct computer hardware companies]]

[[Category:Electronics companies established in 1964]]

[[Category:Electronics companies disestablished in 1982]]

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