1978
- Nova is founded in a shed (that was a former chicken hatchery) in Middleton, MA by Geoff Ryding, Peter Rose, Andrew Wittkower and George Swanson
- Nova receives funding from Cutler Hammer
- NV-10 Design starts in September 1978
- Eaton acquires Cutler Hammer and Kasper in Austin Texas, forming Eaton Semiconductor Equipment Operations
