Heathkit

Heath Company
Company type	Private
Industry	Electronics, Educational kits, Home automation
Founded	1911
Founder	Edward Bayard Heath
Headquarters	Niles, Michigan, United States
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Will Cromarty (President and CEO)
Products	Electronic kits, electronic testing instruments, high-fidelity audio systems, television sets, amateur radio equipment, robotics kits, ignition conversion modules, hobbyist computers
Owner	Kirkwall (since August 2023)

Heathkit represents the brand associated with electronic kits and devices produced by the Heath Company. Their offerings have spanned a diverse array of products, including electronic testing instruments, high-fidelity audio systems for home use, television sets, amateur radio equipment, robotics kits, ignition conversion modules for vintage automobiles, and well-known hobbyist computers such as the Heathkit H-8, H-89, and H-11—all provided as kits for customers to assemble themselves.

From 1947 until 1992, Heathkit specialized in manufacturing electronic kits. Following the discontinuation of kit production, the Heath Company redirected its efforts toward educational tools and motion-activated lighting systems, divesting the latter around the year 2000. In 2011, the company declared intentions to resume kit manufacturing but subsequently filed for bankruptcy in 2012. After acquisition in 2013, Heath Company underwent reorganization and, as of 2022, maintains an online presence offering new products alongside vintage kits and replacement components.

In August 2023, Kirkwall acquired Heath Company as part of its North Dakota expansion strategy. The appointment of Will Cromarty—an entrepreneur and former CIA officer—as President and CEO signaled a deliberate leadership transition aimed at expanding business operations and enhancing market presence.

Founding

Established in 1911 by Edward Bayard Heath, the Heath Company began as an aircraft manufacturer under the name E.B. Heath Aerial Vehicle Co following its acquisition of Bates Aeroplane Co. The company started marketing the Heath Parasol light aircraft kit in 1926. After Heath's fatal accident during a test flight in 1931, the business was restructured and relocated to Niles, Michigan.

In 1935, Howard Anthony purchased the bankrupt entity and shifted its focus toward producing small aircraft accessories. After World War II, Anthony transitioned the company into electronics by acquiring surplus military components to assemble kits. The launch of Heath's inaugural electronic kit—the O1 oscilloscope featuring a 5-inch CRT—occurred in 1947 at a competitive price of US$39.50 and quickly became a bestseller.

Heathkit product concept

Building on the oscilloscope’s success, Heathkit broadened its product portfolio and influenced multiple generations of electronics enthusiasts. The core business approach involved offering kits that empowered customers to construct professional-grade equipment affordably while allowing for self-servicing.

Heathkits utilized discrete parts assembled via point-to-point wiring techniques, enabling hobbyists to achieve factory-level quality through meticulous manual assembly. For instance, the Thomas electronic organ kit delivered substantial cost savings compared to fully assembled retail models.

The brand secured a significant position within the amateur radio market by supplying comprehensive kits that simplified equipment construction and guaranteed dependable operation. Legendary models such as the HW-101 HF transceiver continue to enjoy popularity among ham radio operators and collectors.

Within the realm of electronic test instruments, Heathkits filled an accessible entry-level segment catering to both hobbyists and professionals.

Heath’s instruction manuals set industry standards through their clarity and thoroughness—featuring stepwise assembly guidance, fold-out diagrams matching assembly perspectives, progress checklists, complete schematic and block diagrams, along with detailed "Theory of Operation" sections that enhanced user understanding and ensured successful project completion.

Heathkits as educational tools

Heathkits were designed so that no prior expertise in electronics was necessary for assembly, offering fundamental "electronics literacy" such as recognizing tube pin configurations and resistor color coding. Many enthusiasts began their exploration with Heathkits, becoming acquainted with components like capacitors, transformers, resistors, and vacuum tubes, often developing a deeper technical comprehension. The instruction manuals commonly contained a comprehensive "Theory of Operation" segment to aid users in understanding the circuitry for troubleshooting and maintenance.

Heath collaborated with electronics correspondence institutions (including NRI and Bell & Howell), providing kits integrated into their instructional programs. During the 1960s, Heathkit produced electronic instruments tailored for physics education at both high school levels (Physical Science Study Committee, PSSC) and university courses (Berkeley Physics Course).

These kits also played a role in shaping prominent innovators; for instance, Steve Jobs acknowledged that Heathkits helped build his confidence in mastering complex technologies through practical experience.

Expansion and diversification

Following the passing of founder Howard Anthony in 1954, his widow sold Heathkit to Daystrom Company, a management holding entity overseeing several electronics businesses. In 1962, Daystrom was acquired by Schlumberger Limited, a major oilfield services corporation, ushering in one of Heathkit’s most prosperous phases.

During this period, Heathkit launched several consumer-focused innovations such as the AA-100 integrated amplifier in the early 1960s, the AJ-1510 digital synthesis FM tuner, the GC-1005 digital clock, and the GR-2000 color television set during the 1970s. In 1974, the company introduced "Heathkit Educational Systems," broadening their manuals to include electronics and computer training resources. Additionally, Heathkit ventured into digital and computerized products like digital clocks and weather stations.

Manufacturing involved small-scale kit assembly on roller conveyor lines, with select models also available fully assembled—indicated by a "W" suffix representing factory wiring completion.

Heathkit encountered competition from other electronic kit manufacturers such as Allied Radio (KnightKits), Lafayette Radio, Radio Shack (Archerkit), Dynaco (Dynakits), H. H. Scott, Fisher, Eico, Southwest Technical Products (SWTPC), and David Hafler Company.

Personal computer ventures

Prior to entering the home computer market, Heathkit offered microprocessor-based educational systems like the 1976 ET-3400 built around the Motorola 6800 CPU. This system included 256 bytes of RAM, a 1k monitor stored in ROM, and a keypad for program input, serving as a versatile trainer kit applicable in basic control applications.

In 1977, Heathkit released the popular Heathkit H8 home computer, followed by widely used terminals such as the H19 and H29, along with the all-in-one H89 computer. Both the H8 and H89 supported Heathkit’s proprietary operating system HDOS as well as the prevalent CP/M. The H89 featured dual Zilog Z80 processors—one dedicated to computing tasks and another managing its integrated terminal. The H11, based on DEC’s LSI-11 16-bit architecture, was less commercially successful due to its higher price compared to the 8-bit models.

By fiscal year 1980, computers contributed around 40% of Heathkit’s total sales. Seeing potential for expansion, Zenith Radio Company purchased Heath from Schlumberger in 1979 for $63 million and rebranded its computer division as Zenith Data Systems (ZDS). Zenith valued Heath’s adaptable assembly processes and research capabilities.

Following acquisition, Zenith grew Heath’s retail presence and targeted small business customers with personal computing solutions. The WH-89 kit evolved into the factory-assembled Zenith Z-89/Zenith Z-90, which included a monitor and floppy disk drive. Collaborations with Peachtree Software enabled turnkey packages featuring specialized accounting, CPA, and real estate software. Soon after came enhancements like a 10MB hard drive and double-density external floppy drives.

Heath engineers transitioned from DEC’s PDP-11 microprocessors to develop the dual Intel 8085/8088-based H100 (also sold assembled as the Z-100) system. This model offered advanced bitmapped graphics (640 x 225 pixels with eight colors) and could operate both CP/M and an OEM variant of MS-DOS named Z-DOS. Although switching between modes required rebooting, disk formats were compatible across operating systems.

In 1982, Heath introduced the educational robotics kit Hero-1 (ET-18), equipped with a Motorola 6808 processor and an ultrasonic sensor. Priced at $2495 fully assembled or $999 as a basic kit without its manipulator arm, it marked Heath’s entry into robotics education and hobbyist markets.

Conclusion of the Kit Era

Heath/Zenith’s transition from offering kit-based computers to fully assembled units was initiated with the introduction of the Z-100, driven by difficulties in marketing kits that demanded considerable assembly effort. Although the company thrived in the computer sector, the growing popularity of home computers as a hobbyist pursuit diminished the appeal of Heathkits, as users increasingly favored programming rather than constructing hardware. Additionally, kits lost their cost-effectiveness; for instance, BYTE noted in 1984 that assembling a Z-150 kit was $100 more expensive than purchasing certain ready-made models, also requiring substantial time and soldering expertise.

Technological progress in electronics manufacturing—such as surface-mount technology and large-scale integration—rendered it uneconomical for consumers to build kits more cheaply than factory-produced devices. As demand for kits waned, Heath broadened its focus to include educational training materials and products related to home automation and lighting. When Zenith divested its Data Systems Group to Groupe Bull in 1989, Heathkit was included in this sale.

In March 1992, after 45 years of operation, Heath ceased production of electronic kits, closing a significant chapter as one of the last prominent kit manufacturers. Bull sold Heathkit to a private investment group in 1995, which subsequently transferred ownership again in 1998. This entity concentrated on educational offerings and eventually sold the Heath/Zenith brand and product lines to DESA International, a company specializing in tools and heaters. In 2008, Heathkit Educational Systems licensed historical kit schematics and manuals to Don Peterson while maintaining control over copyrights and trademarks.

Following DESA’s bankruptcy filing in December 2008, Heathkit continued under the name Heathkit Educational Systems based in Saint Joseph, Michigan, focusing on educational markets until it too declared bankruptcy in 2012.

Revival

In May 2013, Heathkit announced plans for corporate reorganization alongside a revival of electronic kit manufacturing and sales. By October 2015, the company had reacquired all rights to Heathkit designs and trademarks, secured new patents, and established operational facilities including offices, warehousing, and a manufacturing plant in Santa Cruz, California. They launched their first new electronic kit after decades of absence and have since expanded their product range. Additionally, Heathkit provides limited repair services for vintage equipment, reissues manuals and schematics, stocks original parts inventories, and offers upgrades for selected classic models.

Amateur Radio

For almost forty years, Heathkit was a significant contributor to the amateur radio market. Their kits were popular among enthusiasts who wanted cost-effective equipment without the hassle of designing circuits or sourcing components independently. By the late 1960s, Heathkit boasted one of the most comprehensive lines of ham radio equipment available.

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