Irving Gould
Irving Gould | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1919 |
| Died | 2004 |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, investor |
| Known for | Investment and involvement in Commodore |
Irving Gould (1919–2004) was a prominent Canadian entrepreneur known for both rescuing and contributing to the downfall of Commodore.
Commodore initially operated in Canada, manufacturing mechanical typewriters and calculators. The company encountered financial difficulties in 1965 when its founder, Jack Tramiel, acquired Wilson's Stationers with a $3 million loan from Atlantic Acceptance Corporation. Following Atlantic's bankruptcy, all outstanding loans, including those to Commodore, were demanded for immediate repayment.
To address this crisis, Gould facilitated the sale of Wilson's Stationers and invested $400,000 in 1966 to acquire a 17% stake in Commodore,[1] supplying essential capital throughout the following decade as the company repeatedly faced economic challenges.
As Japanese competitors began offering typewriters and calculators at lower prices, Tramiel redirected Commodore’s focus toward electronic calculators. Gould, leveraging his industry connections in Japan, cautioned Tramiel about the rise of CMOS technology that posed a significant threat to Commodore’s market share. Attempts by Tramiel to procure Japanese technology were unsuccessful due to suppliers’ refusal to export it.
The dominance of Japanese manufacturers and suppliers such as Texas Instruments—who started producing complete calculators at prices below their component costs—ultimately pushed Commodore out of the calculator sector. During this period, Gould continued to provide financial support, enabling Tramiel to acquire MOS Technology microprocessors and transition the company into the computer industry.
In the early 1980s, strategic disagreements emerged between Gould and Tramiel. While Tramiel advocated for strict financial management and issuing new shares to reduce debt and enhance Commodore’s stock value, Gould favored increased expenditures during profitable periods to preserve his influence within the company. This conflict culminated in Tramiel’s exit in 1984.[2]
Later, Gould along with then-managing director Mehdi Ali faced criticism for their role in Commodore’s decline during 1993–94, attributed to prioritizing low-cost manufacturing and mishandling the Amiga brand.[3]
- ↑ Chronological History of Commodore Computer
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ Slashdot book review - The Rise and Fall of Commodore by Brian Bagnall