Northwest Microcomputer Systems
Northwest Microcomputer Systems, Inc. (NMS), was a short-lived, privately owned American computer company active from 1977 to the early 1980s and based out of Oregon. The company was co-founded by several computer engineers and investors, including Randy Bush. History Northwest Microcomputer was incorporated in December 1977 in Coos Bay, Oregon, by Randy Bush, John Burles, Michael McKeown, Jim Long, and Jay Farr. The firm was headquartered at 219 Fitzpatrick Building, on the site of the shopping mall that existed in Coos Bay at the time. Bush was the company's principal founder; prior to founding Northwest, Bush had twelve years of experience in the computer industry as an engineer. He was joined by McKeown, a Doctor of Science; Long, a student of Marshfield High School who was hired as a programmer; John Burles, who was named accountant; and Jay Farr. Farr's other company, True Value Hardware, was Northwest's first client. Northwest's first product was unveiled at the second annual West Coast Computer Faire in 1978 and given the name 85/P. In May 1978, Northwest moved out from their Coos Bay mall headquarters for a bigger facility in Eugene, Oregon. The company that year expanded nationally; the new headquarters in Eugene were