Irwin Magnetic Systems
Encyclopedia
Irwin Magnetic Systems was a computer storage manufacturer founded in 1979 and based in Ann Arbor, Michigan
. At its height, the company employeed 600 people in Ann Arbor. The company's primary product line was magnetic tape data storage
systems, particularly the proprietary AccuTrak format. This format was widely adopted by Compaq
, HP and other OEM manufacturers, and was also incorporated into IBM Personal System 2
(PS2) personal computers as an option. In 1989, the company was acquired by Cipher Data Products, which was in turn acquired by Archive Corporation a year later. Archive maintained Irwin as an independent brand for a while after the acquisition.
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Ann Arbor is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Washtenaw County. The 2010 census places the population at 113,934, making it the sixth largest city in Michigan. The Ann Arbor Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 344,791 as of 2010...
. At its height, the company employeed 600 people in Ann Arbor. The company's primary product line was magnetic tape data storage
Magnetic tape data storage
Magnetic tape data storage uses digital recording on to magnetic tape to store digital information. Modern magnetic tape is most commonly packaged in cartridges and cassettes. The device that performs actual writing or reading of data is a tape drive...
systems, particularly the proprietary AccuTrak format. This format was widely adopted by Compaq
Compaq
Compaq Computer Corporation is a personal computer company founded in 1982. Once the largest supplier of personal computing systems in the world, Compaq existed as an independent corporation until 2002, when it was acquired for US$25 billion by Hewlett-Packard....
, HP and other OEM manufacturers, and was also incorporated into IBM Personal System 2
IBM Personal System/2
The Personal System/2 or PS/2 was IBM's third generation of personal computers. The PS/2 line, released to the public in 1987, was created by IBM in an attempt to recapture control of the PC market by introducing an advanced proprietary architecture...
(PS2) personal computers as an option. In 1989, the company was acquired by Cipher Data Products, which was in turn acquired by Archive Corporation a year later. Archive maintained Irwin as an independent brand for a while after the acquisition.
Notable Products
- EzTape - Backup/Restore Software
- AccuTrak Plus 120Mb and 250Mb Tape Drives