Librascope
| Company type | Division (formerly independent company) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer hardware, Aerospace, Defense |
| Founded | 1937 |
| Founder | Lewis W. Imm |
| Defunct | 1992 |
| Fate | Acquired by Loral Space & Communications in 1992; later part of Lockheed Martin |
| Headquarters | Glendale, California , United States |
| Products | Early digital computers (LGP-30, LGP-21), Avionic and aerospace computer systems, marine technology, land-based C3 systems, torpedo fire control systems |
Librascope originated as a division of General Precision, Inc. (GPI) located in Glendale, California. Established in 1937 by Lewis W. Imm, the company initially specialized in the production and operation of theater equipment before being acquired by General Precision in 1941. During the Second World War, its efforts concentrated on enhancing aircraft load balancing systems.
Subsequently, Librascope entered the digital computing market, producing some of the early computers for both commercial and defense applications. In 1956, they brought on board Stan Frankel, an experienced programmer from the Manhattan Project and one of the first to work on the ENIAC, to develop the LGP-30 desktop computer.
By 1964, Librascope's Avionic Equipment Division based in San Marcos was incorporated into GPI's Aerospace Group, serving as the West Coast branch of the Kearfott Division.
Following its acquisition by Singer Corporation, Librascope shifted focus toward marine technology and land-based C3 (Command, Control, Communication) systems tailored for global defense clients. The company gained expertise in torpedo fire control systems while sustaining various smaller military contracts throughout the 1970s.
After Singer Corporation was taken over by corporate raider Paul Bilzerian, Librascope was sold to Loral Space & Communications in 1992. Eventually, this division became part of Lockheed Martin, integrated into Lockheed Martin Federal Systems and now operating under Lockheed Martin NE&SS—Undersea Systems.
Computers
- LGP-30
- LGP-21
- Librascope AN/ASN-24 airborne/aerospace computer system (1958), utilized in:
- Centaur guidance computer (Librascope-3)
- Digital navigation computers for C-141A Starlifter and C-130E Hercules (System 605A), AN/ASN-24(V)
- Atlas-Centaur navigation computer (GPK-33)
- Aerial reconnaissance digital camera control system, AN/ASN-24(XY-1)
- Librascope C141 airborne navigation computer
- Librascope L90-I versatile aerospace computer introduced in 1962
- Librascope L600 guidance computer designed for aircraft and missiles
- Librascope L-2010 durable general-purpose digital computer released in 1962, also available in a portable model
- Librascope L3055 data processing unit developed for the 473L system
External links
- Librascope Memories – extensive archive covering over six decades, including 293 issues of Librazette newsletters, photographs, product brochures, and company videos
- Air Force 473L global communications system
- 1937 establishments in California
- 1992 disestablishments in California
- American companies established in 1937
- American companies disestablished in 1992
- Companies based in Glendale, California
- Computer companies established in 1937
- Computer companies disestablished in 1992
- Defunct computer companies of the United States
- Defunct computer hardware companies
- Defunct computer systems companies
- Technology companies established in 1937
- Technology companies disestablished in 1992
- Defunct computer companies based in California