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1999 Annual Review

The Measurement Revolution: 1990-1994

The Measurement Revolution is a direct result of the computer revolution that has affected every aspect of our lives. The Measurement Revolution is the story of how the computer has redefined measurement and automation. Since its inception in 1976, National Instruments has revolutionized the way engineers and scientists work by empowering them with the personal computer. NI develops and manufactures hundreds of integrated software and hardware products, which, when combined with standard computers, are used to replace and/or communicate with traditional instruments and to monitor and control processes. NI is also pioneering a new generation of distributed measurement and automation systems by leveraging the computer and the Internet. As a leader in computer-based measurement and automation, NI is dedicated to producing innovative solutions that empower our customers to achieve their goals – faster, better and at a lower cost. Take a look at just a few of our products that are making the Measurement Revolution possible.

Milestones of the Computer Industry Measurement Revolution Timeline

1990 – 1994

  • Microsoft Windows 3.0
  • 1 GB hard drive
  • Notebook computers
  • World Wide Web created
  • Microsoft Windows 3.1
  • PCI plug-in PC boards
  • "Surfing the Internet" coined
  • 100 Web sites
  • 66 MHz Pentium processor
  • 600 Web sites
  • Mosaic – 1st Web browser
  • Web traffic grows 341,000%
  • Netscape Navigator 1.0
  • 10,000 Web sites

1990

  • NI ships LabVIEW and LabWindows Version 2.0.

1991

  • NI launches Alliance Program to leverage the success of third-party developers and systems integrators.

1992

  • LabVIEW for Windows-based PCs and UNIX Workstations significantly expand opportunities.
  • SCXI signal conditioning expands the types of signals PCs can measure.

1993

  • LabWindows/CVI for Windows enhances scientific programming environment for C/C++ programmers.

1994

  • NI launches Web site, as a natural extension of direct sales model.
  • New generation PCI plug-in boards leverage the latest PC technologies to dramatically boost performance of PC-based data acquisition solutions.

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