Computer Hardware

Microsoft Corporate Office

Microsoft was founded in 1975 by childhood friends Bill Gates and Paul Allen.

In 1980, the company launched Xenix, their operating system based off of Unix.

In 1984, Microsoft Windows launched.

In 1986, the company headquarters were moved to Redmond, Washington where they remain today. The company also went public this same year.

In 1990, Microsoft Office was launched.

In 2000, Bill Gates was replaced as CEO by Steve Ballmer.

In 2001, the Xbox and Windows XP are both unveiled.

In 2007, Windows Vista is launched.

In 2011, the company acquired Skype.

In 2012, the Microsoft Surface tablet is launched.

Today, Microsoft is a multinational software manufacturer. Microsoft Windows is the most used desktop operating system in the world. The company also produces other consumer electronics like the Xbox and Zune.

In November 2018, Microsoft became the world’s most valuable company, rising above Apple.

Microsoft confirmed suspicions in 2019 that Cortana and Skype recordings were not private.

In mid-August 2019, the company warned users to update their Windows 10 systems immediately to avoid a virus that spreads malware between computers without any user interaction.

Microsoft

Microsoft was founded in 1975 by childhood friends Bill Gates and Paul Allen.

In 1980, the company launched Xenix, their operating system based off of Unix.

History

In 1984, Microsoft Windows launched.

In 1986, the company headquarters were moved to Redmond, Washington where they remain today. The company also went public this same year.

In 1990, Microsoft Office was launched.

In 2000, Bill Gates was replaced as CEO by Steve Ballmer.

In 2001, the Xbox and Windows XP are both unveiled.

In 2007, Windows Vista is launched.

In 2011, the company acquired Skype.

In 2012, the Microsoft Surface tablet is launched.

In November 2018, Microsoft became the world’s most valuable company, rising above Apple.

Microsoft confirmed suspicions in 2019 that Cortana and Skype recordings were not private.

In mid-August 2019, the company warned users to update their Windows 10 systems immediately to avoid a virus that spreads malware between computers without any user interaction.

HP Corporate Office

Hewlett-Packard, or HP for short, was founded in 1939 by Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard. Their first successful product was the HP200A, an audio oscillator. These early computer engineers worked out of their garage and flipped a coin to decide if their company would be called PH or HP.

In 1947, the company officially incorporated.

In 1957, the company went public on the NYSE under the ticker symbol: HPQ

One of the company’s earliest customers was Walt Disney Productions which bought eight Model 200B oscillators for use in certifying the surround sound systems installed in theaters for the movie Fantasia.

The company began developing semiconductors in the 1960s and today is recognized as the founding company of Silicon Valley.

In the 1970s, the company released the HP 3000, an advanced business computing server.

In 1984, the company began producing both inkjet and laser printers for the personal computers.

In 2002, HP merged with Compaq.

In 2008, the company acquired EDS.

In 2009, the company acquired 3Com.

In 2010, the company acquired Palm.

In 2015, the company changed its name from Hewlett-Packard Corporation to simply HP, Inc.

Today, HP is the world’s leading PC manufacturer. They also produce other technology hardware and software solutions.

The company still has headquarters located in Palo Alto, California.

Hewlett-Packard (HP)

History

In 1947, the company officially incorporated.

In 1957, the company went public on the NYSE under the ticker symbol: HPQ

The company began developing semiconductors in the 1960s and today is recognized as the founding company of Silicon Valley.

In the 1970s, the company released the HP 3000, an advanced business computing server.

In 1984, the company began producing both inkjet and laser printers for the personal computers.

In 2002, HP merged with Compaq.

In 2008, the company acquired EDS.

In 2009, the company acquired 3Com.

In 2010, the company acquired Palm.

In 2015, the company changed its name from Hewlett-Packard Corporation to simply HP, Inc.

Today, HP is the world’s leading PC manufacturer. They also produce other technology hardware and software solutions.

The company still has headquarters located in Palo Alto, California.

RadioShack Corporate Office

Radio Shack was founded in 1921 by Theodore and Milton Deutschmann. The brothers opened a ham radio shop in downtown Boston.

In 1939, the company issued their first catalog and entered the hi-fi audio market.

In 1954, the company began selling its own products under the Realist brand.

In 1962, after nearly going bankrupt, Radio Shack was purchased by the Tandy Corporation. The company was renamed to Tandy Radio Shack & Leather.

In 1977, the company introduced the TRS-80 personal computer. The product was a huge success.

In 1994, the company introduced a repair shop into their stores.

In 2000, the company dropped Tandy from its name and became just RadioShack.

Today, the company operates over 7000 retails locations worldwide.

RadioShack

Radio Shack was founded in 1921 by Theodore and Milton Deutschmann. The brothers opened a ham radio shop in downtown Boston.

In 1939, the company issued their first catalog and entered the hi-fi audio market.

In 1954, the company began selling its own products under the Realist brand.

History

In 1962, after nearly going bankrupt, Radio Shack was purchased by the Tandy Corporation. The company was renamed to Tandy Radio Shack & Leather.

In 1977, the company introduced the TRS-80 personal computer. The product was a huge success.

In 1994, the company introduced a repair shop into their stores.

In 2000, the company dropped Tandy from its name and became just RadioShack.

Today, the company operates over 7000 retails locations worldwide.

Bose Corporate Office

The Bose Corporation was founded in 1964 by Dr. Amar Bose. Bose was a former MIT graduate student who began to research reverberant sound quality after buying a sound system in college that disappointed him.

The company’s first loudspeaker was the model 2201. It was a commercial disappointment.

In 1968, the company unveiled the Model 901 loudspeaker. It marked the company’s first success.

In 1970, Bose filed a lawsuit against Consumer Reports after they gave the 901 a bad review. Bose would eventually lose the lawsuit in 1983.

In the 1970s, the company began researching car stereos.

In 1972, the company began selling speakers targeted to professional musicians.

In 1984, the Acoustive Wave audio system is introduced.

In 1990, the Lifestyle Speaker systems are introduced.

In 1993, the Bose Wave radio is launched. The Wave radio would eventually become their signature product.

In 1999, the company begins selling from their website.

Today, Bose operates 8 production facilities and 153 retail stores nationwide.

Bose

The company’s first loudspeaker was the model 2201. It was a commercial disappointment.

In 1968, the company unveiled the Model 901 loudspeaker. It marked the company’s first success.

History

In 1970, Bose filed a lawsuit against Consumer Reports after they gave the 901 a bad review. Bose would eventually lose the lawsuit in 1983.

In the 1970s, the company began researching car stereos.

In 1972, the company began selling speakers targeted to professional musicians.

In 1984, the Acoustive Wave audio system is introduced.

In 1990, the Lifestyle Speaker systems are introduced.

In 1993, the Bose Wave radio is launched. The Wave radio would eventually become their signature product.

In 1999, the company begins selling from their website.

Today, Bose operates 8 production facilities and 153 retail stores nationwide.

IBM Corporate Office

IBM can trace its roots back to 1911 when Charles Ranlett Flint merged 3 separate technology companies to form the Computing Tabulating Recording Company (CTR).

In 1924, the company was renamed to International Business Machines Corporation or IBM for short.

In 1952, Thomas J. Watson, Jr. succeeded his father as CEO of IBM.

In 1956, a computer was programmed to play checkers and learn from previous games. This is the first example of artificial intelligence.

In 1963, IBM headquarters was moved from NYC to Armonk, NY where it remains today.

In 1974, IBM engineer George Laurer developed the Universal Product Code or UPC system.

In 2005, IBM sold its personal computer business to Lenovo.

Today, IBM is one of the largest technology and consulting companies worldwide. The company has received the most accepted patents annually for the past 20 years.

IBM

IBM can trace its roots back to 1911 when Charles Ranlett Flint merged 3 separate technology companies to form the Computing Tabulating Recording Company (CTR).

In 1924, the company was renamed to International Business Machines Corporation or IBM for short.

In 1952, Thomas J. Watson, Jr. succeeded his father as CEO of IBM.

History

In 1956, a computer was programmed to play checkers and learn from previous games. This is the first example of artificial intelligence.

In 1963, IBM headquarters was moved from NYC to Armonk, NY where it remains today.

In 1974, IBM engineer George Laurer developed the Universal Product Code or UPC system.

In 2005, IBM sold its personal computer business to Lenovo.

Today, IBM is one of the largest technology and consulting companies worldwide. The company has received the most accepted patents annually for the past 20 years.