Anchor Pad
Two experts want your computer. Which one will get to it first?
The Business
Paul and Mark Gassaway founded Anchor Pad International in January 1973. It looks like Mark was the inventor of the duo. His name is on 4 patents for security mountings, which the company sold. The only information I found on Paul was a 1992 article from the LA Times about his death at age 43.
The Australian branch (Anchor Pad (Aust.) Pty. Limited) was incorporated in June 1983. It applied for “voluntary deregistration” in 2003.
Anchor Pad International was purchased several times over the years. At the end of 2004, it was merged into Darton Manufacturing.
During my research, I discovered a company that used the AnchorPad name to sell laptop security devices. I don’t know if they are related to the original Anchor Pad.
The Product
So, what exactly is the Anchor Pad? The official catalogue for the November 1989 Australian Macworld Expo had a great summary: [sic]
“You need your MAC and your MAC needs ANCHOR PAD. Macintosh computers are one of the hottest items on thieves shopping lists.
With the annual value of PC-theft in Australia being over $22,000,000.00, you can’t leave your MAC and assorted peripherals without the protection of Anti-Theft Devices.
There is an ANCHOR PAD to suit your MAC or any other desktop equipment.
Protection is assured without drilling either you MC or the desktop upon which it sits.
Should the ANCHOR PAD be defeated and your equipment stolen, ANCHOR PAD (Australia) Pty Ltd, will pay up to $5,000.00 towards the replacement value of stolen equipment.
Over 6,000 desk-top computers in Australia have ANCHOR PAD protection.”
The September 23, 1982 issue of Computer Weekly also had a little write-up on it: [sic]
“If you are worried about anyone making off with your Apple you will be interested in the Anchor Pad Security Rack from Data Design Techniques. It is specifically designed to secure an Apple II system comprising CPU and keyboard, twin floppy discs and monitor in its normal operating position.
Anchor Pad systems deter theft by "anchoring" equipment to a desk or similar working surface. Unlike most immobilising systems the Anchor Pad does not rely on a bolting-type device; apart from ruining the furniture, the maker of Anchor Pad considers such devices arc far too easily defeated.
Anchor Pad uses an adhesive pad integral with a metal baseplate which is “glued” to the working surface with a minimum force of SOlbs per square inch. A mating casting bolts to the chassis of the equipment to be secured and this casting is married to the baseplate using steel rods which can only be extracted by a special tool. As a final precaution the rods themselves are further protected by numbered key-locks.
The Apple II version comprises a three-stage rack assembly with each component of the Apple II secured individually within the rack. The complete assembly can be rotated through 360 degrees for operator convenience, and any item can be unlocked for servicing. The open rack system ensures adequate ventilation for each Apple II system component.”
Did this system really stop thefts? According to the September 1988 issue of Your Computer they did. The issue tells the story of a company that had their computers stolen TWICE:
“Two of the three systems stolen were brand new replacements for machines stolen weeks earlier. Colour systems were again the preferred flavour However, this time two brand new, fully configured IBM AT systems stayed exactly where they belonged, simply because of a device called Anchor Pad. The Anchor Pad, as the name implies, secured the computer system to the surface on which it sat. The thieves had removed all the connections from the rear of the units in expectation of heaving them off into the dead of the night. It would have been a joy to see the shock on their faces when the micros refused to budge!”
If you feel this coverage was too Australia-centric, here is a blurb from the March 1991 issue of Lotus magazine:
Anchor Pad International takes a more physical approach to deterring thieves: Its $140 Anchor Pad locks the computer to the desk. Rather than using bolts or cables that could permanently damage the desk surface, the Anchor Pad relies on a nondamaging adhesive plate capable of withstanding 6,000 pounds of pull force. Additional hardware secures the computer to the plate.
“Once a thief sees a visual deterrent on a computer, he most likely will go elsewhere,” says David Wilensky, national sales manager for the Ventura, Calif., company. The Anchor Pad can also be used to secure fax machines, printers, telephones, and other office equipment.
How often do thieves try to run off with desktop computers? Anchor Pad International’s literature cites 1987 National Crime Information Center statistics estimating that the burglary rate at commercial businesses is 10 times higher than at private residences. “It happens more than you’d think,” says Vantage Point president Rick Schultz. “People run off with TVs and stereos all the time, and PCs are just as vulnerable to ‘smash-and-grab’ thefts.”
Have you ever used an Anchor Pad? Do you know anything about its history? Tell us about it in the comments below.
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In the 1980's I worked for Data Design Techniques in England who were a computer maintenance company mainly servicing and repairing DEC systems. The company became a reseller of the Anchor Pad system. I remember going to Ford Motor Company and spending several days in their offices armed with various tools (including an angle grinder (!)). I had to grind off the paint from their metal work desks and then superglue the Anchor Pad base plates to the desks. It was a messy job! Of course no two workers wanted their pc systems in the same position on their desks. Once installed there was no way of repositioning them!
Ciao sono un vostro ammiratore ed appartengo ad una famiglia dove il capo mio nonno era un uomo di elettronica in tutti i rami ed io ero il suo nipote prediletto perché avevo attitudini d'ideale e valore d'avanguardia sin dalla mia prima infanzia epoca dove fui in grado di vari successi ecc... con il computer ed senza ed comunque vi scrivo perche' non ho' mai sentito parlare dell'antifurto per il computer e credo pure che evidenziare molto di un vecchio prodotto di passate significatività non sii un lavoro troppo augurabile di oggi giorno era moderna semmai paragonarlo al prodotto ordinario credo proprio positivamente che si tratterebbe d'attualità di difesa tecnologica ecc... comunque vi seguo sempre e' un settore perspicace il vostro saluti a tutti ciao !