COMPANY

Tandem Computers

  • Tandem Computers

  • Tandem Computers was a dominant computer manufacturer known for pioneering fault-tolerant computer systems, which were widely adopted by banks, ATM networks, stock exchanges, and telephone utilities. I worked there early in my career.
  • History & Operations

    • The company's primary claim to fame was its NonStop line of systems, which used redundant processors and storage to ensure zero downtime.
    • Headquartered in Cupertino, California, the company was a major hub of engineering talent in Silicon Valley before its acquisition by Compaq in 1997.
  • Lore & Anecdotes

    • The "NonStop Fajitas":
      • A Mexican restaurant located in the Vallco Fashion Mall (just west of the Tandem headquarters in Cupertino) ran an "all-you-can-eat" fajita promotion.
      • In a playful nod to their tech-giant neighbor, the restaurant branded the promotion as "NonStop Fajitas", copying Tandem's exact trademarked camel-case spelling of NonStop.
These facts are as Randal recalls them, but much time has passed for most of this. If you find a factual error, please email realmerlyn@gmail.com.