General Instrument

General Instrument (GI), originally founded in New York City in 1923, was a pioneering American electronics manufacturer headquartered in Horsham, Pennsylvania. Specializing initially in semiconductors, GI expanded into cable television equipment and became a key player in these industries throughout its history.

In the 1950s and 1960s, under the leadership of Moses Shapiro, GI made strategic acquisitions that propelled it into the forefront of transistor and integrated circuit (IC) production. By the late 1960s, GI dominated the television market, buoyed by acquisitions like Jerrold Electronics in 1967.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, GI diversified its portfolio, developing ICs such as the CP1600 and AY-3-8910 series, pivotal in consumer electronics like the Mattel Intellivision game console. By the late 1980s, GI was a leading developer of high-definition television technology.

After restructuring in 1997, GI split into separate entities focusing on cable infrastructure, consumer television, and power electronics. The consumer television division retained the GI name until its acquisition by Motorola in 2000, later passing through various ownerships before consolidation under ARRIS in 2018. Today, General Semiconductor continues its operations independently.