| Digico Limited | |
| Industry: | Computer hardware |
| Predecessors: | --> |
| Successors: | --> |
| Founded: | 1965 |
| Founders: | Keith Trickett and Avo Hiiemae |
| Hq Location City: | Stevenage |
| Hq Location Country: | United Kingdom |
| Areas Served: | --> |
| Key People: | Eric Lubbock (chairman) |
| Products: | data loggers, minicomputers |
| Profit: | --> |
| Profit Year: | --> |
| Owners: | --> |
Digico was a British computer company founded in 1965 by Keith Trickett and Avo Hiiemae, two ex-ICL electronics engineers. Former MP Eric Lubbock became chairman in 1969.[1] The company was based in Letchworth initially, moving to a new factory in Stevenage in 1973[2] and employing about 90 staff.[3]
Digico's first product was a laboratory data-logging and spectrum analyser hardware system named DIGIAC. This product had been developed before Digico was formed, so was an immediate source of income.[1] Digico soon developed a 16-bit minicomputer series, the Micro 16, for which it was best known for.
Digico quickly started developing a general purpose single accumulator 16-bit minicomputer, the Micro 16, which became available in 1966. Digico was assisted by the Ministry of Technology and the National Research Development Corporation in this development.[1] [2] [4] The first version produced was the Digico Micro 16S (1968), followed by the 16P (1970), then the 16V in 1972.[5] [6]
| Example applications available for Micro 16V | |
|---|---|
| Animal feed mix control | |
| Car park control | |
| Census analysis | |
| Electroencephalography | |
| Gas chromatography | |
| ICL 1900 front ending | |
| Invoicing | |
| Machine tool control | |
| Mass spectrometry | |
| Stock control | |
| Typesetting |
Digico primarily sold into the data logging market until 1969, when it expanded into areas like process control, stock control and front-end processors for the ICL 1900 mainframe.[1] [10] In 1974 Digico had a turnover of over £1 million (equivalent to £ million in) and in 1977 well over £1 million.[11] [12]
In 1978 the Digico Micro 16E stackable minicomputer, which was well suited to an office environment, won a Design Council Award for Engineering Products.[13] [14]