Irwin Magnetic Systems, Inc., also known as Irwin Magnetics, was a computer storage manufacturer active from 1979 to 1989 and based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It was founded by Samuel Irwin in 1979 as Irwin International, Inc. The company's primary export was magnetic tape data storage and backup systems for personal computers. Irwin was one of the first companies to manufacture quarter-inch cartridge (QIC) systems for the personal computer market. In 1989, the company was acquired by Cipher Data Products.
History
Irwin Magnetic Systems was founded in 1979 as Irwin International, Inc., by Samuel Irwin. Irwin International spent the first few years of its existence developing a QIC–style magnetic tape data storage system, but the company was unable to develop a viable product.
In July 1983, Samuel Irwin transferred the assets of Irwin International into a separate holding company, Irwin Magnetic Systems. Unlike its predecessor, Irwin Magnetics was able to successfully develop a microcomputer tape system to market.[1] Called the Irwin Backup, this system made use of 3M's DC100 tape format and was primarily intended as a means of backing up data. The Irwin was a commercial success, and the company soon inked deals with Compaq