Irwin Magnetic Systems
| Company type | Public company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer storage solutions |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Founder | Samuel Irwin |
| Defunct | 1989 |
| Fate | Acquired by Cipher Data Products |
| Headquarters | Ann Arbor, Michigan , United States |
Area served | Personal computers |
Key people | Samuel Irwin (founder) |
| Products | Magnetic tape data storage and backup solutions (QIC systems, Irwin Backup, AccuTrak) |
Number of employees | 600 (mid-1980s) |
Irwin Magnetic Systems, Inc., frequently referred to as Irwin Magnetics, operated as a producer of computer storage solutions between 1979 and 1989, headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Established by Samuel Irwin under the name Irwin International, Inc, the firm focused on magnetic tape data storage and backup technologies designed for personal computers. Irwin was a pioneer in manufacturing quarter-inch cartridge (QIC) systems tailored for the PC sector. In 1989, the company was acquired by Cipher Data Products.
History
Samuel Irwin founded the company in 1979 as Irwin International, which initially encountered challenges in creating a functional QIC tape storage solution. By July 1983, the company’s assets were reorganized into Irwin Magnetic Systems, which successfully introduced the Irwin Backup system utilizing 3M's DC100 tape format, primarily aimed at data backup applications. This offering gained market traction and resulted in collaborations with PC manufacturers such as Compaq and NCR, who incorporated and resold these drives alongside their computer products.
Subsequently, Irwin launched the AccuTrak product line based on the DC2000 tape cartridge format, featuring a proprietary embedded servo mechanism to improve data density. Initially designed for the Macintosh platform, AccuTrak was later adapted for IBM PC and compatible systems, earning design approvals from companies like Compaq, Hewlett-Packard, and IBM, which offered it as an optional accessory for their Personal System/2 (PS/2) models.
During its height in the mid-1980s, Irwin employed approximately 600 staff members at its Ann Arbor facility and completed its initial public offering in 1986. The company expanded in 1988 by acquiring Kennedy Company, a manufacturer of tape drives for minicomputers, from Shugart Corporation. In 1989, Irwin was purchased by Cipher Data Products for $77 million. Cipher was subsequently acquired by Archive Corporation in 1990, which continued to use the Irwin brand name for a period thereafter.
Noteworthy products
- EzTape – software designed for backup and restoration
- AccuTrak Plus – tape drives with capacities of 120 MB and 250 MB