Victor Technology

Victor Technology LLC, also known as Victor Calculator, is an American supplier of printing, scientific, financial, and basic calculators, together with desktop accessories. The company is headquartered in Bolingbrook, Illinois, and sells primarily through independent office-supply dealers in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, with later distribution activity extending into Latin America. The business traces its origins to Victor Adding Machine Company, which was operating in 1918. Carl Buehler became involved after a Victor salesman accepted his proposed $100 purchase as an investment in the company. Buehler joined the board in September 1918 and became president three months later. Victor introduced its first adding machine, the Model 110, in 1919. After Buehler's death in 1932, his son A. C. Buehler assumed control and continued a strategy centered on reinvestment, product development, manufacturing capability, sales coverage, and employee relations. Victor expanded substantially during the twentieth century. During the Second World War it produced military-related equipment, including an aircraft compass, a B-24 bomber turret gunsight, and the Norden bombsight. After the war, it became a major specialist in adding machines and reported reaching more than one million units sold by 1952. In 1953, the company entered cash registers by acquiring McCaskey Register Company. A 1961 merger with Comptometer Corporation broadened its calculating-machine and office-technology capabilities. The combined business experimented with electronic products, including the large Victor 3900 electronic calculator, introduced in 1965, and later developed electronic calculators, printers, programmable calculators, and cash registers. Kidde acquired the company in 1977 and renamed it Victor Business Machines. Under Kidde, Victor also entered the microcomputer market. Through an arrangement involving Sirius Systems Technology, it obtained domestic distribution rights for the Sirius 1, an Intel 8088-based computer compatible with MS-DOS and CP/M-86. Victor marketed the system as the Victor 9000. The computer became particularly successful in Europe, although rapid expansion and weaker-than-expected sales later contributed to financial difficulties. Victor Technologies entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in February 1984. Datatronic AB acquired 90 percent of Victor Technologies in an agreement reached in 1984 and completed in February 1985. The company subsequently emphasized calculators in the United States and computers in Europe. The computer division was sold to Tandy Corporation in 1989, leaving the U.S. calculator business as the core of the remaining Victor operation. In 1991, members of Victor's U.S. management acquired the assets through DMJCO, Inc. In 2006, those assets were acquired by Jordan Feiger and John Ringlein, and the company adopted the name Victor Technology LLC. In its modern phase, Victor has concentrated on business and financial calculators, printing calculators, basic and scientific models, and office accessories. Its V12 financial calculator, introduced in 2007, was positioned against established financial-calculator products. The PL8000 printing calculator followed in 2008 with features including an alphanumeric display and printer, guided prompts, a loan calculator function, reprinting, personalized text messages, and a help key. Victor expanded into premium desk accessories with the Midnight Black Collection in 2012, later adding other finishes. In 2015, it became a source for Sharp calculators in the United States and Latin America. The company remains an active calculator and desktop-accessories brand rather than the diversified office-computing business it operated during parts of the twentieth century.

Victor's history began with Victor Adding Machine Company in 1918. Carl Buehler became a director after converting an intended adding-machine purchase into an investment and became president before the end of that year. The first Victor adding machine, Model 110, appeared in 1919. Buehler's son A. C. joined the company as vice president of operations in 1921 and took control after his father's death in 1932. The company developed a substantial manufacturing and sales organization around adding machines. During the Second World War, it applied its production capabilities to military equipment, including an aircraft compass, a B-24 bomber turret gunsight, and the Norden bombsight. In the postwar period, Victor strengthened its research, manufacturing, distribution, and service operations. By 1947 it was described as the world's largest exclusive adding-machine manufacturer, and it surpassed one million units sold five years later. Victor diversified into cash registers in 1953 through the acquisition of McCaskey Register Company. During the 1960s it moved toward electronic calculation and broader office technology. The 1961 merger with Comptometer Corporation combined Victor's adding-machine business with calculating machines and the Electrowriter telecommunications device. The Victor 3900, introduced in 1965, was an early electronic desktop calculator using MOS integrated-circuit technology, although its size and manufacturing difficulties limited its commercial life. Victor also distributed Hugin cash registers and had developed a broad product range by the late 1960s. Electronic product development accelerated in the 1970s. Victor introduced the 1800 series in 1971, an electronic dot-matrix printer in 1973, programmable calculators in 1974, and electronic cash registers in 1975. Kidde acquired the company in 1977 and renamed it Victor Business Machines. The new ownership encouraged exploration of emerging office technologies, including microcomputers. Victor secured domestic distribution rights for Sirius Systems Technology's Sirius 1 and sold it as the Victor 9000. The system was an Intel 8088-based computer capable of running MS-DOS and CP/M-86 and achieved notable European sales. The computer expansion was followed by financial strain. Rapid growth in staffing and branch infrastructure coincided with sales below expectations. Victor Technologies entered Chapter 11 proceedings in February 1984 while continuing to process office-equipment and computer orders. Datatronic AB agreed to acquire 90 percent of the company in August 1984, completing the purchase in February 1985. Victor then focused its U.S. activities on calculators and its European activities on computers. Proventus AB later became associated with the parent company, and the Victor Computer Division was sold to Tandy Corporation in 1989. The remaining U.S. calculator operation was purchased in May 1991 by DMJCO, Inc., formed by members of Victor's U.S. management. In 2006, Jordan Feiger and John Ringlein acquired DMJCO's assets and renamed the business Victor Technology LLC. The modern company has concentrated on printing, financial, scientific, and basic calculators, while also developing desktop accessories. The V12 financial calculator appeared in 2007, the feature-rich PL8000 printing calculator in 2008, and the Midnight Black Collection of premium desk accessories in 2012. In 2015 Victor became a source for Sharp calculators in the United States and Latin America. Its present identity is therefore rooted in the legacy of Victor's adding-machine business but focused on calculator products and adjacent office accessories.

1. 2006Victor Technology LLC name adopted

   Jordan Feiger and John Ringlein acquired the assets of DMJCO and adopted the Victor Technology name.

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2. 1991DMJCO acquires Victor assets

   Victor's U.S. management acquired the assets of Victor Technologies through DMJCO, Inc.

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3. 1985Datatronic acquisition completed

   Datatronic AB completed its acquisition of 90 percent of Victor Technologies.

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4. 1984Chapter 11 proceedings

   Victor Technologies entered Chapter 11 protection amid expansion-related financial difficulties.

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5. 1982Victor 9000 distribution

   Victor began distributing the Sirius 1 microcomputer domestically as the Victor 9000.

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6. 1977Kidde acquisition

   Kidde acquired the company and renamed it Victor Business Machines.

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7. 1965Victor 3900 electronic calculator

   Victor Comptometer introduced an early MOS-based electronic desktop calculator; production ended in 1967.

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8. 1961Merger with Comptometer Corporation

   The merger broadened Victor's calculating-machine and office-technology capabilities.

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9. 1953Entry into cash registers

   Victor acquired McCaskey Register Company and entered the cash-register business.

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10. 1919Model 110 adding machine introduced

    Victor introduced its first adding machine, establishing the product category that shaped its early business.

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11. 1918Carl Buehler joins Victor's leadership

    Carl Buehler became a director in September and was elected president three months later.

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A business-oriented calculator and office-accessories brand combining traditional printing-calculator expertise with financial, scientific, and basic handheld models. Its distribution has historically emphasized office-supply dealers and professional users.

• Model 110Mechanical adding machine1919

  Introduced in 1919, the Model 110 was Victor's first adding machine. It represented the company's original focus on mechanical business calculation and established the product heritage from which its later calculator portfolio developed.

• Victor 3900Electronic calculator1965

  The Victor 3900 was an early fully electronic desktop calculator introduced in 1965. It offered multiple functions, three storage registers, and a small CRT display, with an early MOS integrated circuit used for processing and storage. Its large size and manufacturing difficulties led to discontinuation in 1967.

• Victor 1800 seriesElectronic calculator1971

  Introduced in 1971, the 1800 series was Victor's first full line of electronic calculators. It marked a major transition from the company's earlier adding-machine and electromechanical heritage toward electronic business calculation.

• Victor 9000Microcomputer1982

  The Victor 9000 was Victor's domestic version of the Sirius 1 microcomputer. It used an Intel 8088 processor and supported MS-DOS and CP/M-86. Victor distributed the machine through its established branch and dealer network, while the system gained particularly strong sales in Europe.

• V12Financial calculator2007

  Released in 2007, the V12 is a financial calculator designed for professional and business calculations. Victor positioned it against the established financial-calculator segment represented by Hewlett-Packard's HP-12C.

• PL8000Printing calculator2008

  Launched in 2008, the PL8000 combined a printing calculator with an alphanumeric display and alphanumeric printer. Its feature set included guided Prompt Logic instructions, a Loan Wizard, personalized text messages, a reprint key, and a help key.

• Midnight Black CollectionDesktop accessories2012

  Introduced in 2012, the Midnight Black Collection is a premium line of desk accessories. The collection later expanded beyond black into Pure White, Classic Silver, Mocha Brown, and Heritage Wood finishes.

• 2012Expansion into premium desktop accessoriesStrategy

  Victor sought to extend its office-product presence beyond calculation devices.

  What changed. The company introduced the Midnight Black Collection of high-end desk accessories and later added several finishes.

  Aftermath. The collection broadened Victor's product range into office furnishing and desktop presentation products.

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• 2008Launch of the PL8000 printing calculatorProduct launch

  Printing calculators remained an important part of Victor's business-equipment heritage.

  What changed. Victor launched the PL8000 with alphanumeric printing, guided prompts, loan assistance, reprinting, personalized messages, and help functionality.

  Aftermath. The launch reinforced Victor's focus on feature-rich office calculators.

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• 2007Launch of the V12 financial calculatorProduct launch

  Victor continued rebuilding its identity around business and financial calculators.

  What changed. The company introduced the V12 financial calculator.

  Aftermath. The product entered a segment associated with established professional financial calculators.

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• 1989Victor Computer Division sold to TandyM&A

  Victor had separated its U.S. calculator emphasis from its European computer activities.

  What changed. The Victor Computer Division was sold to Tandy Corporation.

  Aftermath. The U.S. calculator business remained the central operating activity associated with the Victor name.

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• 1984Chapter 11 restructuringStrategy

  Rapid personnel growth, expanded branch operations, and sales below expectations created financial pressure.

  What changed. Victor Technologies commenced Chapter 11 proceedings and worked to streamline operations while continuing to fulfill orders.

  Aftermath. Datatronic AB later acquired a 90 percent stake, allowing the business to reorganize around calculators in the United States and computers in Europe.

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• 1977Kidde acquires VictorM&A

  Victor had expanded from adding machines into calculators, cash registers, printers, and related office equipment.

  What changed. Kidde acquired the company and changed its name to Victor Business Machines.

  Aftermath. The new ownership supported further exploration of office technology, including a move into microcomputers.

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• 2015Victor becomes a source for Sharp calculators

  Victor became a source for Sharp calculators in the United States and Latin America, broadening its distribution role in the calculator market.

  Other
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• 2012Victor expands into premium desktop accessories

  The Midnight Black Collection extended Victor's office-product portfolio beyond calculators into high-end desk accessories.

  Product launch
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• 2008Victor launches the PL8000 printing calculator

  The PL8000 added an alphanumeric display and printer, guided prompts, loan-calculation assistance, reprinting, personalized messages, and a help key.

  Product launchProduct generation
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• 2007Victor launches the V12 financial calculator

  Victor released the V12 financial calculator as a competitor to established professional financial-calculator products.

  Product launchProduct generation
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• 1984Victor Technologies files for Chapter 11 protection

  Rapid expansion, increased personnel and branch offices, and lower-than-expected sales contributed to financial difficulties and Chapter 11 proceedings.

  Bankruptcy
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• 1982Victor enters the microcomputer market with the Victor 9000

  Victor obtained exclusive domestic distribution rights for the Sirius 1 and marketed the Intel 8088-based system as the Victor 9000.

  Product launch
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• 1971Victor introduces its first full electronic calculator line

  The 1800 series marked Victor's move from primarily mechanical and electromechanical products to a full line of electronic calculators.

  Product launchProduct generation
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• 1965Victor introduces the Victor 3900 electronic calculator

  Victor Comptometer introduced a large desktop electronic calculator using an early MOS integrated circuit, multiple functions, three storage registers, and a small CRT display.

  Product launchProduct generation
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1. Victor Technology