Data Technology Industries
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer manufacturing |
| Founded | 1976 in San Diego, California, United States |
| Founder | Thomas Lafleur |
| Defunct | 1983 |
| Fate | Acquired by Data Technology Industries, Inc. (DTI) |
| Headquarters | San Diego , United States |
| Products | Microcomputers (Gnat MC80, System 8, System 9, System 10) |
Gnat Computers, Inc. was a U.S.-based computer manufacturer established in 1976 in San Diego, California, by Thomas Lafleur. Recognized as a pioneer in the microcomputer sector, Gnat was among the earliest firms to obtain a license for the CP/M operating system from Digital Research. The company produced multiple hardware items, including two distinct microcomputer models, prior to its acquisition by its business associate Data Technology Industries, Inc. (DTI) in 1983.
History
Incorporated in August 1976, Gnat Computers launched its first product, the Gnat MC80 (also known as the Gnat 8080 System), a single-board computer featuring the Intel 8080 CPU. This system came equipped with 256 bytes of RAM expandable to 512 bytes and supported up to 2 KB of programmable ROM through available slots. The MC80 was marketed either as fully assembled boards or complete with a chassis and front panel, primarily targeting industrial process control markets. Additionally, Gnat offered an expansion board designed for communications control compatible with the MC80.
By mid-1976, the company provided pre-assembled hardware modules for multiply–divide operations compatible with early 8080-based platforms such as the Altair 8800 and Intel’s MDS and Intellec 8 Mod 80 systems, alongside their own MC80. These modules greatly enhanced arithmetic processing speeds, delivering performance improvements of up to 160 times over software implementations.
In 1977, Gnat unveiled its initial 8080-driven Gnat-Pac microcomputer: the System 8. This model featured optional dual 5.25-inch floppy disk drives (each holding 80 KB), 16 KB of RAM, PROM modules including a bootstrap loader and memory monitor, plus serial and parallel input/output ports. The subsequent System 9 released in 1978 expanded floppy disk capacity to 500 KB with potential upgrades to 1 MB and was shipped bundled with the CP/M operating system. It is believed that Gnat was among the first companies to secure a CP/M license for microcomputers; founder Lafleur negotiated perpetual licensing rights for $90 in 1977—a remarkably favorable arrangement compared to later corporate licenses costing tens of thousands.
In 1979, Gnat collaborated with Data Technology Industries (DTI), based in San Leandro, California, to produce the Gnat System 10—an integrated microcomputer powered by the Zilog Z80 processor. This model came with 65 KB of RAM; an integrated CRT screen capable of displaying text at 80 columns by 25 rows; two floppy drives each holding 700 KB; a keyboard modeled after the Selectric typewriter; and an interface for hard drives. Approximately 2,000 units were sold between 1979 and 1980.
In 1981, Gnat secured a $12 million supply contract with American Peripheral Systems to serve as dealer representatives across twenty states plus Washington, D.C., spanning five years.
Following its acquisition by DTI in 1983, Gnat’s System 10 continued to be marketed into the mid-1980s under the new brand name "The Associate."