1985

Inspired by his father Tony Macknight, Professor of Physiology at the University of Otago, Michael Macknight built the first MacLab - an analog to digital converter that connected to a Macintosh computer. He then developed two software packages - MacChart and MacScope which provided software control of the recording unit.

25 Nov 1986

Analog Digital Instruments Ltd (originally known as ADI) was incorporated under the Companies Act 1955 as a private limited company.

25 Nov 1986

The company founders were Tony Macknight, Michael Macknight, and Boris Schlensky. They were joined soon after by Graham Milliken.

1987

With the birth of the MacLab, built specifically for early Apple Macintosh computers, ADInstruments became a Strategic Partner of Apple. ADInstruments were given support by Apple with discounted computers and technical assistance. The MacLab was promoted alongside Apple’s logo.

1987–1988

The Dunedin office began in the Macknight family home in St Leonards. As the company grew, the Macknights purchased another house down the road to use as an office.

1988

The Australian office opened in Sydney, formed with Boris Schlensky as ADInstruments Pty.

1989

ADInstruments win their first big international tender to supply the University of Melbourne with PowerLab systems across Physiology and Pharmacology. Many more sales to other Australian universities followed.

1991

The first office in England was opened at Grove House.

1995

The Japan office opened at Nagoya located in the Aichi Prefecture.

30 Jun 1995

ADInstruments Ltd was incorporated as a company in New Zealand.

1996

ADInstruments first website launched.

1996

The first data acquisition system for Windows computers was released. The hardware unit, renamed PowerLab, was distributed with Chart for Windows 95.

1998

Offices are opened in both the United States and China. The entire range of data acquisition units became both Mac and Windows compatible.

1998–1999

The Dunedin office was now located in a double-storeyed house on the corner of Stuart Street and York Place.

2000

The Dunedin office moved into the seven storey Consultancy House in Bond Street, Dunedin where it remained for 13 years.

2005

The educational side of the business launched with LabTutor.

2006

A new generation of software launched - LabChart, LabChart Reader, and LabAuthor are launched for use with PowerLab.

2008

New office opened in São Paulo, Brazil.

2011

The next generation of data acquisition systems was released - the PowerLab 35 series.

2011

ADInstruments celebrated their 25th Birthday at the Dunedin Club with staff from all around the world. The company became the largest data acquisition company for life sciences in the world, with offices and distributors in more than 100 countries.

2013

The Dunedin offices moved from Consultancy House to Vogel Street.

2013

New office opened in New Delhi, India

2015

Lt, the cloud-based learning platform, launched.

2015

Entered a strategic partnership with Millar Inc that included exclusive global distribution of their Mikro-Tip® pressure catheters and associated hardware for ventricular pressure volume and invasive pressure recording.

2015

Michael Macknight appointed Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for Services to Science.

2016

ADInstruments celebrated their 30th birthday at Larnach’s Castle in Dunedin.

2016

Partnered with Data Sciences International (DSI) to co-promote industry-leading solutions to serve scientists around the world.