PREDICASTS, INC., a company that specializes in providing computerized data for businesses and industries, was established by Samuel A. Wolpert in 1960. Wolpert, a native of Baltimore, came to Cleveland in 1954. Predicasts began as a publisher of economic indexes and surveys and was originally located at 10609 Euclid Ave. in the UNIV. CIRCLE area.
Predicasts moved to 11001 Cedar Ave. in the early 1970s, where it soon established one of the largest on-line business information systems in the world. The company processed information, all of which was kept on computers instead of paper, and also did statistical studies. Businesses could access information through their own computer terminals. Additionally there were economic forecasts, and, by 1978, 20 publications a year in 12 languages. The company had 120 employees checking all types of sources for data—including 2,500 publications. In 1980 the company began to offer its services in Europe and had 20 employees in Kent, England, as well as offices in France, Germany, and Switzerland. That same year Predicasts was acquired by Indian Head, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Thyssen-Bornemisza N.V. of the Netherlands. Predicasts was later acquired by the Information Handling Services Group, Inc., and then Ziff Communications in 1991, a computer information firm.
In 1992-93 the company's headquarters moved from Cleveland to Foster City, CA. Wolpert, who established the Wolpert Foundation in 1980, was considered a pioneer in on-line communications. He died in 1988.