COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 5734

Computers & Computer Software

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

14companies1954–1988founding years14still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironment
FoundedFNACFoundedFNAC
1954
1956
EconomyThe Interstate Highway program remakes commerce.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedWherehouse Entertainment IncorporatedFoundedWherehouse Entertainment Incorporated
1970
EnvironmentThe EPA is founded; environmental regulation expands.
FoundedJ&R Electronics Inc.FoundedJ&R Electronics Inc.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; Nasdaq opens.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins with the Altair.
FoundedComputerland Corp.FoundedComputerland Corp.
1976
FoundedEl Camino Resources International, Inc.FoundedEl Camino Resources International, Inc.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
FoundedNavarre CorporationFoundedNavarre Corporation
1983
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall 22% in a single day.
FoundedOfficeMax Inc.FoundedOfficeMax Inc.
1988
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
TechnologyLinux and open source begin to challenge proprietary software.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
1998
TechnologyUS v. Microsoft antitrust trial reshapes software.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2001
EconomyThe September 11 attacks; a recession follows.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 begin to take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

FNAC →
Active · founded 1954 · France
The FNAC chain of retail stores is France's leading purveyor of what the company refers to as "cultural goods." The…
FNAC →
Active · founded 1954 · France
The FNAC chain of retail stores is France's leading purveyor of what the company refers to as "cultural goods." The…
Wherehouse Entertainment Incorporated →
Active · founded 1970
Wherehouse Entertainment Incorporated oversees one of the country's largest chains of retail outlets engaged in selling…
Wherehouse Entertainment Incorporated →
Active · founded 1970
Wherehouse Entertainment Incorporated oversees one of the country's largest chains of retail outlets engaged in selling…
J&R Electronics Inc. →
Active · founded 1971
J&R Electronics Inc.
J&R Electronics Inc. →
Active · founded 1971
J&R Electronics Inc.
Computerland Corp. →
Active · founded 1976
ComputerLand Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Merisel, Inc.
Computerland Corp. →
Active · founded 1976
ComputerLand Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Merisel, Inc.
El Camino Resources International, Inc. →
Active · founded 1979
El Camino Resources International Inc., through its primary operating company, El Camino Resources, Ltd., is a leading…
El Camino Resources International, Inc. →
Active · founded 1979
El Camino Resources International Inc., through its primary operating company, El Camino Resources, Ltd., is a leading…
Navarre Corporation →
Active · founded 1983
Navarre Corporation is one of the largest independent distributors of compact discs, cassettes, and computer software…
Navarre Corporation →
Active · founded 1983
Navarre Corporation is one of the largest independent distributors of compact discs, cassettes, and computer software…
OfficeMax Inc. →
Active · founded 1988
OfficeMax, Inc.
OfficeMax Inc. →
Active · founded 1988
OfficeMax, Inc.
Build It Today

Starting a computers & computer software company now

Each week we rebuild one of these stories for today's tools and capital.