(From Hal)- Hello Pete,
If you are still interested in 3M Business Communications Products history, I can provide some information about Linolex.
I worked for Linolex from 1972 until the 3M acquisition in the Boston MA area, and then for 3M/Linolex until March
1980 in the St Paul 3M/BCPD corporate offices (6th floor).
Linolex Systems "Was founded in 1970 by James Lincoln and Robert Oleksiak with funding from NBR.
Linolex Systems was recognized by the Boston Computing Society as the first true commercial personal computer."
Note: "NBR" was a Venture Capital company founded by Dr. Richard Petritz (more info in links below)
We had 2 products, the Linolex Model A (before 3M - that 3M also sold) and the Linolex 4000 (fancy desk enclosure)
after the move to St. Paul. I only have a photo of the Model A (attached - I developed the Forms and Print While
Draft functions plus a lot more), and have not been able to find anything about the 3M version (and I have requested info from 3M
- they claim they have nothing).
Management style before 3M:
Linolex Original Management Style
Linolex Original Management Style 2
When I was at Linolex, I was attending college and working in software development; however, because of Dr. Petritz's
management style, I did everything including travel to customer sites to perform installations and training.
That variety of experience helped me during all the years I worked after Linolex.
Dr. Petritz treated me like a friend, contributed to my son's college education, and when the business was
sold I received a part of the profits and was asked to join him in his new venture (INMOS) in Colorado Springs.
At the time I believed that 3M would best fit my plans but later regretted that decision when 3M and I parted
company over the employment contract dispute.
Additional comments from Hal:
3M may have changed the model numbers, I know they had different product numbers depending on the purpose of the sale
and what software features were ordered. The computer was general purpose and we supplied a data processing package
called DEGEN 5 (a data entry and processing tool to generate data processing applications) and Word Processing software,
each had optional features that cost more. I was in marketing support in BCPD but was not involved in pricing or product sales.
Linolex was merged into Business Communications Products D(ivision??) when I moved in 1977 from Bedford MA to 3M Center
in St. Paul. They stopped development just before I left (one of the reasons I left) but continued to sell the products
for a while after. The last products I worked on at 3M were the (first 3M ?) CCITT standard based fax machine and a
fancy printer/copier being developed at the same time using a lot of the same hardware. I worked no more than 6 months
on the non Linolex products before I left.
I did a search on the web for Linolex Model 400 and a page that listed a few of the model numbers.
Unfortunetly, the link no longer works, so here are just the model numbers:
Linolex Models
Linolex Systems, Inc. 4011 Word Processor 1976
Linolex Systems, Inc. 4012 Word Processor 1976
Linolex Systems, Inc. 4500 Word Processor 1976
Linolex Systems, Inc. Model A Minicomputer 1973
If you have any further interest, feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Harold (Hal)