While working on a project for the U.S. Navy, they used emerging computer technology to collect and analyze data. The group sought to develop a GPIB interface for the PDP-11/04 minicomputer. In 1976, they founded a company in Truchard's garage. They initially attempted to incorporate under names such as Longhorn Instruments and Texas Digital, but trademarks of these names were rejected. Ultimately, they established the name National Instruments.

With a $10,000 loan from , the group purchased a PDP-11/04