Search

The History of Agfa / Compugraphic: 1960 - 1995

1960 - William Garth, Jr., president and founder, and Ellis Hanson, Chief Engineer of Photon, Inc., open the doors to Compugraphic Corporation in Brookline, Massachusetts. They set out to apply existing computer technology to the typesetting process.

1961 - Compugraphic engineers recognize that a computer can be programmed to automatically handle repetitious typesetter coding. The firm develops a prototype model of the Directory Tape Processor (DTP) which eliminates all operator decisions and produces a fully coded tape used for typesetting.

1962 - Compugraphic begins working on a computer that can be applied to wire service conversion.

1963 - Compugraphic relocates to Reading, Massachusetts, and introduces its Linasec I and II, the first general typesetting computers. These automated tapeprocessors produce justified tapes to drive the Linotype machines used in the newspaper industry. The net production of the Linasec-in excess of 3,600 lines per hour compared to the manually-set 600 lines per hour-break open the market by enabling newspapers to carry more detailed, late breaking news stories.

1964 - The largest European photographic company is created by the merger of Agfa and Gevaert.

1966 - Compugraphic contracts with Associated Press to produce the AP Offsetter, which converts wire-service signals directly into camera-ready copy.

1967 - Compugraphic moves its operations to Concord Street in Wilmington, Massachusetts, and begins selling through its own marketing organization. The Type Group is formed and releases its first typeface, Bodoni. A formal engineering department is also established in 1967.

1968 - Two phototypesetters, the CG 2961 and the CG 4961, are introduced by Compugraphic. The CG 2961 (for text) and the CG 4961 (for text and some display type) operate from a perforated paper tape prepared on off-line perforating keyboards for use where production volume is an important consideration.

1969 - Compugraphic introduces the 7200 Headliner, the first keyboard-operated machine to set headlines and display type. The company has outgrown its space and moves to a new facility at 80 Industrial Way, Wilmington, Massachusetts.

1970 - The Area Composition Machine (ACM) 9000 is introduced by Compugraphic which offers the flexibility of a direct keyboard and tape-operated phototypesetting. The ACM 9000 sets text and display type mixing 96 type fonts (complete set of type in one size and style) in eight styles and twelve sizes (6 to 72 points) which is of particular interest to daily newspapers and larger weeklies for preparation of their display advertising. Now the emphasis upon the design, manufacturing and sale of machines shifts to include a new emphasis upon developing typefaces. The newly formed Type Division begins to actively seek and recruit type designers. Compugraphic’s physical growth continues as 80 Industrial Way doubles in size and the company leases space at 65 Industrial Way, Wilmington, Massachusetts.

1971 - With its introduction of the CompuWriter® series of machines in 1971, Compugraphic breaks into the commercial printing field. The CompuWriter I, the first direct-entry text phototypesetter not using punched paper tape, gives operators a selection of four typefaces, complete keyboard control, and complete control of character count. The CompuWriter gives much needed day-to-day flexibility to small print shops; advertising agencies; and publishers of books, periodicals, and directories.

1972 - Recognizing the large market for accessory products, Compugraphic acquires Grant Graphics, Inc., a major supplier of printing presses, printing plates, cameras and related products. This acquisition enables Compugraphic to offer an entire package of graphic arts supplies to customers.

1973 - Compugraphic enters into a new technology with introduction of the VideoSetter® I and II. The VideoSetter has an operating speed in excess of 400 lines per minute, making it particularly attractive to the newspaper market for handling classified advertisements and stock market text, as well as body text. This year marks its first release of a typeface exclusively developed by Compugraphic. Named for its creator, Senior Typeface Designer Hollis Holland, Holland Seminar was promoted for high-quality promotional literature. The company continues to sign leases for more space in order to facilitate expansion.

1974 - Compugraphic introduces an extensive product line in 1974, which includes the Unified Composer and the ExecuWriter® series. The Unified Composer brought floppy disk and monitor technology together in one product and is designed to meet the needs of the newspaper and commercial printing markets. The ExecuWriter, the first table top machine, is particularly attractive to businesses and organizations producing their own catalogues and brochures. The purchase of T. J. Lyons Press, brings with it the rights to nearly 2,500 old and antique typefaces.

1975 - Compugraphic introduces another array of products, among them the UniScan and the UniSetter®. The UniScan, the company’s first piece of equipment to feature an optical character recognition (OCR) system, converts typewriter copy into phototypesetting input. The UniSetter is designed to meet the requirements of newspapers, book and magazine publishers, and typographers.

1976 - The Compugraphic Type Division is offering filmstrips in fifteen languages, and CG Canada has evolved. The Unified Terminal System, composed of multi-terminals for input and editing, offers a completely electronic system for processing newspaper copy.

1977 - The Compugraphic EditWriter® 7500 makes its appearance this year. Combining the keyboard and photo unit in one piece of equipment, the 7500 enables one job to be typeset while the operator simultaneously keyboards another. At this time, the EditWriter is the most successful machine ever introduced within the industry. The Mini-Disk Terminal (MDT), a self-contained stand-alone intelligent video terminal disk drive, appears along with the Mini-Disk Reader (MDR), which permits data on the mini-disk to be input into a phototypesetter. Together, these offer an alternative to punched paper tape, and a unique capability to newspapers. Compugraphic is also expanding overseas and sets up a European marketing unit in Paris, establishes Compugraphic Germany, and enters into a joint venture which establishes CG Mexico.

1978 - Two new facilities join the Compugraphic complex, 90 Industrial Way and 55 Concord Street, Wilmington, Massachusetts. Products such as the WordCom®, which tie the EditWriter family into word processing systems, and the AdVantage®, which enable operators to manipulate newspaper and magazine ad type on a display screen using an electronic pen, continue to make life faster, easier and less expensive for Compugraphic customers. The inauguration of a method of containerized shipping by sea plays a significant role in making the company’s accessories and supplies competitive in the marketplace. With this, another step is taken toward becoming a single-source vendor.

1979 - Facility expansions continue as Compugraphic acquires Quadex Corporation. Compugraphic gains a high-quality, reasonably priced front-end system for non-newspaper markets, a valuable addition to its own product line. Another technological breakthrough gives customers a means of developing type in the EditWriter/Dry by a heat process instead of the traditional off-line developing process which used chemical solutions. The company also establishes its first manufacturing facility outside of the United States in Shannon, Ireland, to manufacture type fonts for the European market.

1980 - A major corporate transition begins at Compugraphic with two interrelated principles, modularity and programmability. These concepts give birth to a new product line which is met with resounding success. Ballardvale Street in Wilmington opens its doors, bringing Compugraphic total square footage to over one million.

1981 - Compugraphic introduces its Modular CompositionSystem (MCS™). The MCS, comprised of core hardware and software modules, affords flexibility and customization for customer needs along with the versatility of upgrading as the customers’ business needs changed. Compugraphic acquires Online Newspaper Electronics Systems (ONE), a manufacturer of equipment tailored to the editorial and advertising needs of the newspaper industry. In October, the company announces the sale of a 51 percent equity interest to Agfa-Gevaert Graphics, Inc.

1982 - Compugraphic concentrates on MCS™ enhancements. The MCS is on its way to becoming the most widely sold system in the history of the industry, taking over from the EditWriter. The Type Division also reaches an important milestone this year and releases its 1,000th typeface, Shannon. ASD announces a major breakthrough in phototypeprocessing. A new combination of paper and processing solutions, the Zebra System™, delivers crisp black type on brilliant white backgrounds.

1983 - A Quality Improvement Process is formally introduced and Compugraphic institutes its Quality Education Process. The Type Division begins licensing its typefaces to manufacturers of electronic printers which demonstrates its ability to supply type for non-Compugraphic products. The new Personal Composition System (PCS) is officially launched. The PCS is expected to be the start of a new era bringing high-quality typographic communication into the office environment. Agfa-Gevaert increases its stock ownership to slightly more than 80 percent.

1984 - The Compugraphic Type Division releases its 1,500th typeface. The product family is joined by the MCS PowerView and the MCS Graphics System. The new PowerView provides operators with continuous and simultaneous visual feedback of their text in the actual type size and style as they work. The MCS Graphics System includes the Scanner 2000, the company’s first input product capable of positioning photographs and line art in precise page locations for output. This makes Compugraphic the first single-source vendor to make this type of system available.

1985 - As its twenty-fifth anniversary year begins, Compugraphic Corporation hosts a visit from Belgian prime minister Wilfried Martens. In just twenty five years, the storefront business has grown to employ nearly 5,000 people operating out of ten Massachusetts-based facilities, regional locations throughout the United States, an overseas manufacturing facility in Ireland, and wholly- or partially-owned subsidiaries in Canada and Mexico.

1986 - Compugraphic forms a new division, Font Technologies, to answer the needs of software developers and printer manufacturers whose products image text.

1987 - The exchange of information and expanded cooperative development between Compugraphic and Agfa-Gevaert continues to grow.

1989 - Agfa-Gevaert, Inc., merges with Compugraphic and an innovative medical imaging company called Matrix. The name of the new, expanded company is Agfa Corporation.

1992 - Agfa becomes the imaging division of Miles, Inc., a multibillion dollar, research-based company headquartered in Pittsburgh.

1995 - Agfa becomes the imaging division of Bayer when Miles changes its name to Bayer Corporation. Agfa’s strategic growth remains strong with the acquisition of the Enco proofing and printing plate business of Hoechst.

Return to the timeline main page.