Digital Systems
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Accounting services, Technology development, Microcomputer design |
| Founded | 1966 |
| Founder | John Q. Torode |
| Defunct | 1979 |
| Fate | Transformed into Digital Microsystems, Inc. |
| Headquarters | Seattle , United States |
Key people | John Q. Torode |
| Products | CP/M disk operating system (in partnership), Floppy disk subsystem for microcomputers |
Digital Systems Inc., an American firm specializing in accounting services and technology development, was active between 1966 and 1979. Established by John Q. Torode in Seattle, Washington, the company transformed into the microcomputer design enterprise Digital Microsystems, Inc. (DMS) based in Oakland, California, in 1979. In 1984, DMS was acquired by the UK organization Digital Microsystems Ltd. (DML), a subsidiary of Extel Group Plc, and discontinued its operations within the United States by 1986.
After Torode left the company, DML's product HiNet (Hierarchical Integration Network) was transferred to Apricot Computers Plc in 1987. Meanwhile, in 1986, Torode founded IC Designs, Inc., which utilized VLSI technology developed by Theodore H. Kehl at the University of Washington; this enterprise was later purchased by Cypress Semiconductor Corp. in 1993.
Digital Systems partnered with Gary Kildall of Digital Research to create CP/M, recognized as the first disk operating system for microcomputers. Additionally, the company engineered the initial floppy disk subsystem for microcomputers—both groundbreaking achievements that established its leadership in early microcomputer technology innovation.
Further reading
- Dr. Torode's Digital Systems floppy controller products – Herbert "Herb" R. Johnson, New Jersey, USA (2019)
- Dr. Torode, his floppy controller, and Digital Systems – Herbert "Herb" R. Johnson, New Jersey, USA (2019)
- 30 years of CP/M – Herbert "Herb" R. Johnson, New Jersey, USA (2011)