Logical Machine Corporation

Logical Business Machines, Inc.
Formerly
  • John Peers and Company
  • Logical Machine Corporation
Company typePrivate
IndustryComputer
FoundedSeptember 1974 (1974-09) in Burlingame, California, United States
FounderJohn Peers
FateDissolution
HeadquartersSunnyvale, California (since 1976)
Products
  • Minicomputers
  • Software
DivisionsByte, Inc.

Logical Machine Corporation (LOMAC) was an American computer company active from the mid-1970s to the 1980s and based in the San Francisco Bay Area. It was founded as John Peers and Company by the British entrepreneur John Peers in 1974. LOMAC developed the ADAM, a minicomputer which ran a specialized compiler for the company's natural English programming language.

Throughout the late 1970s, the company acquired several technology firms, including Byte, Inc., the owner of the Byte Shop retail chain. Despite its unique approach to computing and earning $5 million in revenue in 1977, LOMAC struggled as the industry began to standardize around the IBM Personal Computer (IBM PC). Following Peers's departure in 1980, the company rebranded as Logical Business Machines, Inc. (LBM, or simply Logical), and attempted to pivot toward IBM PC–compatible hardware. However, financial difficulties led to the company filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1984. After emerging from bankruptcy in 1985 with new investment, Logical ceased hardware manufacturing to focus exclusively on software development and value-added reselling.