Does anyone remember the early 1980's when micro computers were just coming out? There was all kinds of talk of how computers were going to revolutionize industrial hygiene. The biggest application that was spoken of at the time was data logging, or data acquisition.

The first company to really take advantage of computers in industrial hygiene was Metrosonics. If you recall, they came up with data logging sound level measuring instruments, which could then be downloaded via a special device called a Metroreader. Soon, they came up with software to allow you to download information using an IBM PC compatible computer.

At about that time, INTERSCAN came out with the first true toxic gas dosimeter, that was compatible with the new generation of computers.

However, a funny thing happened on the way to the 90's. Except for Harvard School of Public Health, and a few dozen other customers, the general reception to these products, as well as competitive units, was quite underwhelming.

To make matters worse, when we, and others, started introducing full feature data acquisition to the industrial hygiene world, nobody seemed to care, either.

Why not e-mail me your reasons for this lack of interest in products that, based on 1980's logic, were going to be the "next big thing?" (mds1@gasdetection.com)

I'll give my reasons in the next edition of Mike's Comment of the Week.