Digital Exhibits

C. Norman Winningstad oral history recording

C. Norman Winningstad oral history recording at his office in Beaverton, the home of Floating Points Systems Inc. The founder of Floating Points was Robert Carter in Beaverton, Oregon. At the time Tektronix was helping to create the small business and signed a contract with the founders of Floating Points that they did not and would not have any relation with them, despite the intertwining of some of the employees. The reasoning behind the name of Floating Points was told, focusing on the computer and mathematical reasons for the need of a system that would use floating points while doing math rather than fixed points. The creation of a system that would use floating points rather than fixed points would benefit scientist and physicist in their research and studies. From that question there came explanation of the benefits to having a system like floating points. The first five years of the business was slow with no major expansions. Following the slow start, the years to follow would create rapid growth in the business for it to eventually make their first sale internationally to Sophia University in Japan in 1972 or 1973. It wasn’t until 1977 that Floating Points System became aggressively active in the overseas market. C. Normal retired from being President of the corporation in 1981 because he was unable to keep up with technology due to the constant need of his assistance in the administrative side of the business.

Winningstad, C. Norman

High technology

Winningstad, C. Norman

Washington County (Or.)

Beaverton (Or.)

2 sound cassettes (1 hr., 30 min.)

English

WCM_OH_486

In Copyright

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Five Oaks Museum

Dodds, Linda

Audiocassettes

Sound