Microsoft (1975)

The American multinational technology giant Microsoft and its umpteen products are used by over 1.9 Billion people across the world in over 192 countries.

Microsoft logo
Microsoft logo

image scource: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft#/media/File:Microsoft_logo_(2012).svg

Here are some highlights in the four-decade journey of the world’s largest software maker:

1975

A 19-year-old Bill Gates drops out of Harvard University and goes on to found Microsoft with childhood friend Paul Allen. They make their first product – a BASIC programming code interpreter for the Altair 8800 microcomputer, starting the pc revolution.

Altair 8800 playing some music
Altair 8800 playing some music

image scource:  https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/08d4016c-4a9c-4177-9e57-1633ce4efca9 by Marcin Wichary


1979

With sales topping $1 million at the end of 1978, the company moves to Bellevue, Washington, from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

1980

In June, Gates recruits former Harvard classmate Steve Ballmer to become the company’s first business manager.

1981

In August, Microsoft releases its new operating software Microsoft Disk Operating System (MS-DOS). It begins running on IBM personal computers – a seminal moment for the company’s future domination of personal computing systems.

1983

Microsoft announces its new software “Windows,” which aims to enhance the MS-DOS interface with visual features.

1985

After spending two years in development, “Windows 1.0” begins to ship. Moving on from MS-DOS commands, which some users found challenging to master, the system used simple clicks of a mouse to work through tasks on screens or “windows.”

Microsoft Windows 1.0
Microsoft Windows 1.0 –The first version of Windows.

image scource: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_1.0x#/media/File:Windows1.0.png

1986

Microsoft moves its corporate headquarters to Redmond, Washington. It goes public at $21 per share and raises about $60 million.

1988

With the arrival of Windows 2.0 in 1987, computers start becoming more commonplace in the office. Microsoft becomes the largest PC software company based on global sales.

1990 to 1995

Windows 3.0 is launched in 1990 and five years later, Windows 95 is released and sales surpass 1 million copies in four days. PC sales begin to explode as computers make their way into homes, schools and business, kicking off the “Windows era.”

 1995

With the advent of the Internet, Microsoft introduces its Web browser “Internet Explorer.”
 
 
Internet Explorer 1.0 screenshot
Internet Explorer 1.0 screenshot
 

1998

Windows 98, the first consumer-focused version of Windows, is released. That same year, the U.S. Department of Justice files antitrust charges against Microsoft relating to bundling of its programs into its operating systems. U.S. regulators accuse the company of using its dominance in software and monopolistic practices to drive competitors out of business.

2000

Ballmer succeeds Gates as CEO in January. The two met as students at Harvard, when Gates lived down the hall from Ballmer.

2001

Microsoft reaches a settlement with the Department of Justice in the 1998 antitrust case. In November, Microsoft enters the gaming market with the North American release of its Xbox gaming console.

Xbox console
Xbox console

image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft#/media/File:Xbox-console.jpg

2005

The next-generation Xbox 360 goes on sale in November.

2006

Microsoft launches the Zune portable music player in November, the first Microsoft-designed device to compete in a market dominated by Apple Inc’s iPod. The music player fails to take off and Microsoft discontinues it by mid-2012.

2007

In January, Microsoft unveils the widely panned Windows Vista, the company’s least-popular operating system.

Screenshot of Windows Vista Ultimate
Screenshot of Windows Vista Ultimate

image scource: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Vista#/media/File:Windows_Vista.png

2009

Microsoft revamps its search engine to counter Google’s dominance in Web search and advertising. In May, Ballmer reveals the new engine, dubbed “Bing.” It remains a distant runner-up to Google today.

2010

Microsoft releases its Windows Phone operating system for mobiles, trying to woo consumers away from Apple’s iPhone and Google Inc’s Android devices. The Windows ecosystem remains distant from Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android.

2012

Microsoft, hoping for a hit, launches Surface tablets and a Windows 8 operating system that uses touch commands. The devices have not gained much share in a tablet market dominated by Apple’s iPad, Amazon Inc’s Kindle and Samsung devices.

Microsoft Surface tablet
Microsoft Surface tablet

image source: https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/f2505aec-d079-4df8-befc-45bda35167f4

 2013

On August 23, Ballmer announces he will step down within 12 months, surprising industry-watchers.
 

2014

Microsoft’s board unanimously picked Satya Nadella, a 46 yo Indian-born executive, who led the creation of Microsoft’s Internet-based or “cloud” computing services. He is only the company’s third CEO in 39 years.

2015

Microsoft releases Windows 10, the latest version that’s available in the market today.

2016

Microsoft takes the boldest move by buying LinkedIn for $28.2 Billion.

the current Microsoft CEO
the current Microsoft CEO

image scource:  https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/7b46ee6c-086c-4080-b748-909346971133 by Heisenberg Media


info scource:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft

https://www.infoclutch.com/infographic/microsoft-company-history-timeline

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