Ergotron's MacTilt
MacTilt is the Solution
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The Business
According to the Minnesota Secretary of State, Ergotron was founded in February of 1977. However, the company’s website states that: “In 1982, Ergotron founder Harry Sweere begins in his basement workshop with an idea for a tilt/swivel stand to support better postures for computer workers.”
A now-deleted Wikipedia article has more information about the company. (The article was deleted because it was “Blatant Promotion”, but I have seen other pages that are much worse.) The article states that the company’s name is “a portmanteau of the words “ergonomics” and “electronics,” intended to convey the purpose of the company’s first product”. It also notes that Sweere’s first prototypes were marketed to the airline industry. From there, Ergotron expanded into “computer workstation furniture, LAN racks and specialty mounting systems for a variety of display technologies”.
In 2022, Ergotron was purchased by a private equity firm. The press release describes Ergotron as follows:
Ergotron, Inc. is a global leader in designing ergonomic solutions that connect people and technology to enhance human performance, health and happiness. Using the Technology of Movement™, Ergotron builds products and custom solutions that help people feel a new sense of energy in healthcare, industrial and office settings, both at home and on-site.
Through its 40-year history, Ergotron has led the industry with innovative, professional-grade products and customer-focused service. The company has earned more than 200 patents and established a growing portfolio of award-winning brands including WorkFit® and CareFit™, and patented Constant Force™ and LiFeKinnex™ technologies. Ergotron is headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, with a presence in North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific.
The Product
The earliest non-advertisement mention of the MacTilt I found was in the November 1984 issue of MacWorld. A small paragraph in the “Macware News” section reads, “An adjustable computer stand that helps reduce glare and improve the viewing comfort of Macintosh users. The Mac sits directly on the MacTilt stand and can be lifted off easily. Features include 30-degree tilt and 360-degree rotation. List price: $99.95.”
The Complete Macintosh Sourcebook lists the MacTilit in its “Ergonomic Aids & Simple Comforts”. It says:
“Sitting in front of a monitor screen for hours can really take it out of you. The MacTilt stand helps reduce screen glare and user fatigue by adjusting the computer to a perfect viewing angle. The stand tilts a maximum of 30 degrees and rotates 360 degrees. The Macintosh can be easily lifted on and off. A mounting bracket holds the external drive, and a cable anchor secures and organizes cabling at the rear of the machine.”
MACzine reviewed the MacTilt in their December 1984:
Man invented tools to alleviate work and reduce fatigue. From the first clublike weapon the caveman used to beat his dinner into submission, to the present computer used to perform lightning fast calculations, a primary consideration has been the physical interaction between man and the machines he has created. Today, those machines, particularly computers, are far more sophisticated than anyone dared to imagine a decade ago. A powerful testimony to man’s vision, they perform tasks in minutes which would take months or years to perform by hand. Yet man still suffers eyestrain, back and neck pain, and overall discomfort while working with his creations.
The word ergonomics comes from the Greek ergos meaning work, and nomos, meaning natural laws, in short, the application of natural laws to the work environment. Ergonomics is directed at engineering the man-machine interface in order to reduce the incidence of physical problems. In the field of computers, this effort has been focused on improving screen visibility. Important factors include screen height, viewing angle and glare. screen height influences posture, viewing angle the position of the head, and glare the ability of the eyes to focus properly for extended periods. All of these directly affect comfort.
The subject of ergonomics has been often discussed in the news lately. Business and industry are becoming increasingly aware of the visual and physical discomfort which can result from operating a CRT in a poorly designed work environment. The proliferation of personal computers in the home and workplace has brought a host of minor physical ailments, almost all of which can be eliminated by adjusting CRT visibility to the operator. Elevating the computer terminal and swiveling or tilting it to match individual user preferences helps reduce eye strain, prevent headaches, eliminate muscle soreness and ease stress. A computer stand which affords the operator full control in adjusting the CRT screen for optimum personal viewing would solve the problem.
MacTilt by Ergotron, is one such pedestal. It is a well-engineered unit of durable construction and modern design which matches the Macintosh in color and texture. MacTilt raises the Macintosh approximately 4” above the desktop. A rugged friction assembly holds the Macintosh firmly in position and permits fingertip control throughout its full +15° tilt range and 360° rotation (180°/180°). There are no knobs, levers, wingnuts or other adjustments for the operator to contend with. An additional mounting bracket holds the external disk drive nestled snug against the side of the Macintosh providing added convenience and savings in desk space.
Assembling MacTilt was easy. Within 5 minutes I had mounted and positioned my Mac for comfortable viewing. MacTilt uses a clever bracket design which allows the Macintosh to be lifted off for quick removal. A sturdy, rear-mounted cable anchor neatly bundles the cables to prevent wear or abrasion. Optional Rip Stop Nylon custom fitted dust covers are also available in different colors.
Recent studies have indicated that a properly designed ergonomic workstation can increase productivity from 10 to 25%. I have to agree. I’ve been using MacTilt for several weeks now, and I can state positively that I more thoroughly enjoy my time at the computer, feel less fatigued after a long session, and accomplish more than before. I recommend MacTilt highly.
MacWEEK also published a short review of the MacTilt SE:
Ergotron is a company that lives up to its name. MacTilt SE is a new pedestal that brings the Macintosh SE closer to eye level.
This sturdily-built stand also tilts and swivels to provide users with more viewing flexibility.
The 360-degree rotation comes in handy in places — like MacWEEK’s offices — where the morning sunshine interferes with the CRT’s brightness. A little tug at MacTilt and optimum viewing is restored.
For those who regularly have nightmares of seeing their SE topple, a pair of clips are included to keep the computer in check.
The MacTilt SE naturally sports the fashionable new platinum color. Ergotron Inc. (612) 854-9116 1621E. 79th St., Minneapolis, Minn. 55420 $89.95 (list price)
Have you ever used a MacTilt? Do you know anything about its history? Tell us about it in the comments below.
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