In 1947 engineer William R Whittaker began his company manufacturing aircraft valves; later broadened the product line through acquisition to include the production of guidance instruments. Also produced a range of popular sub miniature cameras. In 1956, the company merged with one of the first computer software companies and the newly formed company assumed the name of the Telecomputing Corporation. Despite the reorganization, William R Whittaker remained the top executive and principal shareholder of the company.