Discwasher SpikeMaster
Meet the Mighty SpikeMaster, Protector of Computers.
The Company
Discwasher was incorporated on June 23, 1971. The company was dissolved on March 7, 1983, after the company filed a “request for termination.”
(Quick note: All the references I discovered for Discwasher are dated after the company was dissolved. I’m not sure what’s going on here. I know that the company listed above is the same as the one in the ad because it has a similar address.)
In 1984, OMNI published an issue entitled “OMNI Complete Catalog of Computer Hardware and Accessories.” The catalog says, “Discwasher of Columbia, Missouri, a well-known manufacturer of audio, video, and computer accessories.”
The Product
K-Power Magazine listed the SpikeMaster in their “Rising Stars - Hardware” section in the May 1984 issue:
“Guard your treasured computer, peripherals, and software from damaging electrical surges. The SpikeMaster provides protection with four widely-spaced sockets, a circuit breaker, and an on/off switch. The electrical outlet also has 15-amp capabilities and active surge suppression devices. Purchase the device for $79.95 at computer stores or from the manufacturer: Discwasher”
Creative Computing published a blurb about the SpikeMaster in the “New Products” section of their September 1984 issue.
Another surge suppressor recently introduced is the SpikeMaster from Discwasher, the record care people. The SpikeMaster provides four protected sockets spaced widely enough for use with bulky AC power adapters. All four sockets are numbered and controlled by a lighted red rocker switch.
In addition to filtering out RF interference, the SpikeMaster provides both multistage and multimode protection. A circuit breaker is built into the unit to prevent dangerous line overloads from reaching precious equipment.
The SpikeMaster surge suppresor comes with a limited 90-day warranty and retails for $79.95.
The OMNI catalog referenced in the first section also mentioned the SpikeMaster.
“Discwasher now offers a new surge and noise eliminator called the Spikemaster. It is a very handsome unit with four outlets and an on/off switch, and is designed to protect computer hardware, computer software, and audio and video equipment from RFI, EMI, and short-duration power surges.”
Finally, Tom Benford wrote an article for Commodore Microcomputers entitled “Ergonomic Accessories for Comfortable Computing”. In the article, he mentions surge suppressors:
You can also relieve cable clutter by using a multiple-outlet power box. Better multi-outlet boxes have built-in surge suppressors to clean up the power coming from the wall outlet, and often feature a master power switch, which lets you turn the power on or off to all your equipment at the same time. Built-in surge suppressors protect the equipment from a sudden jolt of power when it is first turned on, Some multi-outlet boxes can be screw-mounted to the work station or wall.
Discwasher offers three such multi-outlet surge suppressors in its SpikeMaster line, all offering protection from sudden voltage surges while providing interference filtering. Two of the models are designed for tabletop use, and since they both offer four inputs and a master on/off switch, they're ideal for ergonomic power-handling chores.
Have you ever used a Discwasher SpikeMaster? Do you know anything about its history? Tell us about it in the comments below.
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