History of video games market in 1978 with the Odyssey, while toy company Mattel released the Intellivision in 1979, which featured graphics superior to any of its competitors. After both Atari and Fairchild made a strong showing in 1977, the market hit a difficult patch in 1978 when retailers resisted building inventory, believing that the newly emerging electronic handheld market would displace video games. Atari, for example, manufactured 800,000 systems, but proved unable to sell more than 500,000 to retail. This helped precipitate a crisis at the company that saw co-founder and chairman Nolan Bushnell and president Joe Keenan forced out by Atari's parent
Bartolini Pickups and Electronics Bartolini Pickups and Electronics Bartolini Pickups and Electronics is an American company who make guitar and bass pickups and electronics, such as pre-wired harnesses, pre-amps, and EQ modules. The company was founded in 1973 by Bill Bartolini, and is based in San Luis Obispo, California. The pickups and electronics are used by luthiers such as Michael Tobias Design, Pedulla, Overwater, Roscoe, Warrior, Elrick, Sukop, Mayones, Novax, Curbow and Zon. Ibanez installs Bartolini pickups on their middle-priced guitars and bases. They are also sold through musical retailers as replacements to upgrade existing instruments. Bill Bartolini began manufacturing magnetic pickups in 1973.