Ford Instrument Company
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Fire control systems, Analog computing |
| Predecessor | Ford Marine Appliance Corporation |
| Founded | 1915 |
| Founder | Hannibal Ford |
| Fate | Became part of Sperry Corporation |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Parent | Sperry Corporation (later Sperry Rand Corporation) |
The Ford Instrument Company played a significant role as an American provider of fire control Rangekeeper systems and analog computing devices to the United States Navy prior to and throughout World War II.
Originally established in 1915 by Hannibal Ford under the name Ford Marine Appliance Corporation, the firm adopted the name Ford Instrument Company in 1916. Before founding this company, Ford served as Chief Engineer at the Sperry Gyroscope Company, where he worked alongside Elmer Ambrose Sperry.
In 1930, the company was purchased by North American Aviation for $3 million. Subsequently, following General Motors' acquisition of a controlling stake in North American Aviation and its merger with General Aviation Manufacturing Corporation, Ford Instrument was separated along with other non-aviation divisions to become part of Sperry Corporation.
Within Sperry, and later under Sperry Rand Corporation, Ford operated as an autonomous division.
Doug Coward's Analog History Museum highlights the Ford Instrument Company Computer Mark I, which was deployed from 1939 on naval artillery up to 5-inch caliber and anti-aircraft weaponry during WWII. This reference also identifies Ford as a subsidiary of Sperry Rand between 1955 and 1978.