Capture Technologies, Inc. – 73 years of success begins – Part II
SOUNDSCRIBER 200 portable record cutter and player machine with soft vinyl discs
When US Audio, Inc., now Capture Technologies, Inc., began in 1948, it entered the dictation market representing Grey Autograph with their newly introduced magnetic-belt system. Soft vinyl discs and magnetic-belts were a giant technological step forward as both medias were able to be put into envelopes for mailing or storage. Also, the life of the recording was substantially longer and more reliable than of the wax-cylinders.
As the dictation market grew, it attracted larger companies including Norelco, Lanier Business Products and even businesses such as IBM. The industry focused on the legal and medical markets and dictating machines became just as important in running an efficient office as typewriters and copy-machines.
As the larger companies got involved in the dictation industry, they drove smaller companies, like Gray Autograph, out of the picture. Seeing the advantages of the better technology that Norelco offered, US Audio, Inc. made the change and became the sole distributor for Norelco in Northern California. Taking on this major manufacturer, with increased potential for growth, required US Audio to have established offices in San Francisco, Sacramento and San Jose.
In 1971, I was hired, as a sales representative in San Francisco, by the rising star in the dictation industry- Lanier Business Products. Lanier was based out of Atlanta, Georgia and was known for its aggressive sales approach and excellent sales training programs. I was assigned a downtown San Francisco territory and began competing against US Audio, Inc. with their Norelco product-line. Within the first year I became one of the top Lanier salespeople and had won many competitive deals against US Audio, Inc.
Working for others had never been my desire, however, I made my wife of just two years, a promise that I would take a JOB for only two years before running my own business. I kept my promise and in exactly two years I quit. As I was walking back to my car, I passed US Audio’s sales manager, Joe, who happened to be walking to his office. I hailed Joe down and told him that I quit. He was elated and offered to buy me a drink. It was 9 AM and I told him “No thanks!” and that I was starting my own business and needed to find some investors. He smiled and said I should call US Audio’s then-owner, Bill Scott, as he was known to do some investing. Joe handed me his card and wished me well. More on our history in the next post…
Ed Wright
Author, entrepreneur, ultimate optimist who believes hard work - works!