LI-COR

LI-COR was founded by Bill Biggs in 1971, the result of his development for the University of Nebraska of a sensor to measure the quantity of light in the range of wavelengths used by plants for photosynthesis (photosynthetically active radiation). Initially called the Lambda Instruments Corporation, the company was renamed to LI-COR in 1978.

The company grew and diversified into other types of sensors. As stated in the company website, "As LI-COR grew, the staff continued developing instruments to supplement the existing line of light sensors, porometers, and spectroradiometers. The explosive growth in DNA fragment analysis and biotechnology research inspired LI-COR's early forays into gene sequencing technology. This led to the development of LI-COR's two product lines: Biotechnology and Environmental. While these product lines are distinct, they share one common element – measuring biological parameters based on the interaction between electromagnetic radiation and physical matter."