NLS

History

Company Names

Initial Filing as "Non-Linear Systems, Inc." - Feb 17, 1953
Name change to "Kaypro Corporation" - Jun 29, 1983
Subsidiary formed "Kaypro International" Jul 28, 1983
(California Secretary of State Listing, https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/search/business?name=kaypro)

Changes in NLS's Product Line

The evolution of Kaypro Corporation began under the name Non-Linear Systems, Inc., organized in 1953. The company developed the first digital voltmeter and quickly established itself as a leader in the field of electronic test equipment. NLS has been a major supplier of digital voltmeters and ratiometers to large corporations in the aerospace industry.
In 1972, NLS decided to concentrate its efforts on small, consumer-oriented, electronic testing devices. They set up a world-wide network of distributors to provide portable multimeters, oscilloscopes, counters, frequency meters, temperature meters, and digital panel meters.
(Kaypro, The Complete Business Computer Brochure, Nov. 1983 Likely)

From an interview of Andy Kay:
Peter Ruber: After manufacturing test instrumentation for 30 years, why did you switch to making computers?
Andy Kay: Most of the instrumentation we manufactured was for the military. By the early 1970s my contracts with the government began to evaporate. I learned through reading the electronics magazines that 90% of the electronics business was in computers. I was in the other 10%. And I said I wanted to be in the 90% group. PR: Did you have computer engineering expertise in-house? AK: I did not have computer engineers in-house, and I did not have money in-house either, so I couldn't do it. Instead, I bided my time by decreasing my dependence on the military by making much less expensive equipment that could be sold through distributors, and we built up a business that way. We gradually got away from the dependence on the military that by 1978, well, we weren't out of the military business entirely, but we were pretty much out of it.
(Computer Shopper, August 1989)

Samples from a 1960's computer catalog

NON-LINEAR SYSTEMS, INC., Del Mar Airport, Del Mar, Calif. / SKyline 5-1134 / *C 60
Digital voltmeters, ohmmeters, ratiometers; oscillogram trace readers, precision wirewound resistors, electronic measurement instruments for missile, nuclear, scientific and manufacturing fields; digital readouts, data processing and recording equipment, scanners, visual output devices, analog to digital converters / RMSa Ms(240) Se(1952) DAle A. F. Kay, pres. / R. C. Wynne, V.P., Sales (pg 40)
C40. CONVERTERS, INFORMATION, ANALOG TO DIGITAL
NON-LINEAR SYSTEMS INC., Del Mar Airport, Del-Mar, Calif. / Analog to Digital Convertors and Data Logging Systems / DESCR: convert electrical parameters into digital visual and electrical form. Complete systems permit automatic recording of up to 1000 input channels / USE: computer set-up and solution recording / converters,$985 to $8500; systems, $7000 to $80,000 (pg 59)
D2A. DATA REDUCTION EQUIPMENT
NON-LINEAR SYSTEMS INC., Del Mar Airport, Del Mar, Calif. / Oscillogram trace readers / DESCR: converts trace deflections into digital form, applies linear or non-linear calibrations and records time and data in column form on electric typewriter / USE: simplifies and speeds reduction of oscillographic data / $20,000 (pg 62)
Il. INDICATORS (COMPUTER TYPES)
NON-LINEAR SYSTEMS, INC.. Del Mar Airport, Del Mar, Calif. / digital readouts / DESCR: displays up to 12 symbols or messages per window. Standard units have up to 6 windows in 3 window sizes. Display is actuated by energizing the one proper lamp out of the 12 lamps per window. No moving parts. Only 1 1/2" deep. Message display plates are easily changed by user / USE: for displaying alphanumeric or other symbolic data available in contact closure or voltage form from computers, analog-to-digital converters, etc. / $25 to $150 (pg 64)
(Computers and Automation, 6th Annual Issue, June 1960)

Sample Large System

NLS S-1 Base Configuration
This is an example of NLS's mid 1960's laboratory voltmeter systems which including the ability to record data to a printer, paper tape or electronic reels for further analysis.

Datico Missle System with M-24

(Electronics, Jan 30, 1959)

Datico Details

Manuals and Videos

"The Digital Voltmeter - An Inside Story" This is a booklet produced by NLS in 1963 to explain how their DVM works.

NLS Manuals

NLS videos

NLS Promotional Material

1959?

1961?
1961?

1962

1965

NLS Meters

NLS 406 Digital Voltmeter "The First Commercial Voltmeter" 1954
NLS 451 Digital Voltmeter "An ecomony version" of the 406 1955
NLS 451B2 Digital Voltmeter A "B" model appears to be a rackmount unit with the internal modules moved around so it is narrower and taller. Intended for desktop use rather than rack mounting.
NLS 500 Digital Voltmeter
NLS M24 Volt-Ohm-RatioMeter
NLS V35 Digital Voltmeter
NLS 2900 Series Digital Voltmeter
NLS 5000 Series Digital Voltmeter
NLS X2 Series Digital Voltmeter
NLS X3 Series Digital Voltmeter
NLS MX1 Series Digital Multimeter