Our Company History Grapevine Publications, Inc., was formally founded in May of 1983 in Corvallis, Oregon, by Chris Coffin, Ted Wadman and Bob Bloch. But its true beginning traces back to a dinner conversation on September 29, 1982, when Chris and Ted scribbled down the outline for Grapevine's first book, "An Easy Course in Programming the HP-41." Chris and Ted wrote the text over the next 6 months, with Ted hand-lettering the final version and Bob illustrating it. Since then...well, one book has led to another: 2001 will see the advent of our 60th product. Our company is named Grapevine for several reasons. First, although most of our early publications were technical non-fiction, none of the founders wanted the company to have such a limited scope; any prospective name was not to imply merely "tech books." Also, since the company started with exactly zero capital--and since its charter was (and still is) publication of materials good enough to talk about--its name describes its primary marketing plan. Finally, thinking a little more symbolically, grapevines are hardy but friendly plants, with deep roots--both literally and literarily--and its fruits are good either fresh or distilled over time. Those all seem like good values for a publishing company to aspire to.   Our Publishing Niche: What We Do Grapevine Publications, Inc. publishes clear and simple explanations of finance, math, science and technology products. We don't use techno-jargon. We don't write boring manuals. We use plain language, drawings, and lots of practice problem-solving to help you learn the subject. We try to make our books and articles read as if you're having an unhurried, one-on-one conversation with a good and engaging teacher--a real live human being. We started by publishing how-to books on a variety of calculators and handheld computers. Since then, we have also offered similar easy-to-read self-guided courses and articles on computers, software, VCR's, math, the Internetand finance. We hope continually to improve the quality and ease of our presentations.   Our Company Philosophy Grapevine Publications believes strongly in the power of knowledge and education to change the world--a tenet we try to reflect in the books and materials we publish, the openness of our workplace, and the hopes and expectations we have for every person we work with. We believe that most human problems derive ultimately from fear and ignorance. When knowledge is limited and coveted, it is used merely as a weapon--a tool of power. But when knowledge is shared and spread, when true understanding replaces ignorance, then fear gives way to empathy and, hopefully, mercy. That is the larger goal, and we want our products and our ways of doing business to reflect it and encourage it. We support various local and statewide causes, including those for The United Way, Oregon Veterans, and Boys and Girls Clubs. We also contribute regularly to national and international organizations such as the Cousteau Society, The Nature Conservancy, Habitat For Humanity, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and Project Vote Smart. We urge your support, too, for these groups and for others who work for education and civic and environmental responsibility.   Our People The success and continuity of Grapevine Publications is the result of many contributions from many individuals. Some are employees, either past or present; some are family members, friends or other volunteers; some are authors, artists or other professionals. Most are named here. All have been necessary and appreciated.   Vincent Barnett Tom Barton Jo Beck Robert Beck Robin Beck Tom Benjamin Arnie Blanchard Robert Bloch Cameron Bodwell Teresa Bodwell Tom Brennan Dave Brunco Pamela Buitrago Chris Bunsen Sharon Butterfield Darren Cervantes Jack Chicalo Paul Cibaric Theresa Cochran Bessie Coffin Bob Coffin Chris Coffin Dan Coffin Jenn Coffin Laura Coffin Matthew Coffin Shirley Coffin Willis Coffin Joe Congel Paul Courbis Janet Cryer Todd Dempewolf Ray Depew Darcy Deshon Tom Dick Doris Dickerson Jim Donnelly David Dykes Kim Emmal Steve Fain Rich Fry Jim Gallagher Bob Glass Helen Glass Bonnie Glass-Coffin Joel Greenberg George Hall Brian Hardebeck Robert Harris Dianne Hart Henry Horn Julie Janssen Ed Keefe Anne Kendrick Cath Kendrick Fred Kennedy Kathy Kerr Gregg Kleiner Peter Krupp Jeff Krusen Sebastien Lalande Chet Langin Claudia Lazon Eva Lenmark Vern Lindsay Ineke Loux John Loux Cary McAllister Diane McKean David Mielke Dave Murray Kevin Myers Sheila O'Halloran Annette Orrock Nancy Pearson Olen Pearson Jan Petrie Tracy Pitts Lisa Platt Doris Platt John S. Platt John V. Platt Peter Platt Victor Platt Marie Rackham Sharon Rackham Barbara Raz Irene Rickey Diva Rodriguez Virginia Rohrbacher Cindy Russell Erika Salinas Alfonso Simons Delina Simons Erick Simons Esnire Simons Jeanette Simons Soraya Simons Yamil Simons Yussef Simons Martin Streck Beth Strohmeyer Anita Sullivan George Svasta Paul Swadener Carol Sweet Eric Thompson Glenna Volpe Mike Volpe Ross Wadman Sandy Wadman Ted Wadman Carmen West Ning Zhang Top of Page