COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 3672

Printed Circuit Boards

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

16companies1920–1991founding years14still active2no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironment
FoundedAlliedSignal Inc.FoundedAlliedSignal Inc.
1920
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression begins.
1933
EconomyNew Deal reforms reshape banking and industry.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long postwar expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented at Bell Labs.
1956
EconomyThe Interstate Highway program remakes commerce.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
FoundedSCI Systems, Inc.FoundedSCI Systems, Inc.
1961
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedHadco CorporationFoundedHadco Corporation
1966
FoundedAltron IncorporatedFoundedAltron IncorporatedFoundedWestern Digital Corp.FoundedWestern Digital Corp.
1970
EnvironmentThe EPA is founded; environmental regulation expands.
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.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
FoundedDialogic CorporationFoundedDialogic Corporation
1983
FoundedESS Technology, Inc.FoundedESS Technology, Inc.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall 22% in a single day.
FoundedPalomar Medical Technologies, Inc.FoundedPalomar Medical Technologies, Inc.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
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.
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

AlliedSignal Inc. →
Defunct · founded 1920
AlliedSignal Inc., formed from the acquisition of Signal Companies, Inc.
AlliedSignal Inc. →
Defunct · founded 1920
AlliedSignal Inc., formed from the acquisition of Signal Companies, Inc.
SCI Systems, Inc. →
Active · founded 1961
SCI Systems, Inc., is one of the world's largest electronics subcontractors.
SCI Systems, Inc. →
Active · founded 1961
SCI Systems, Inc., is one of the world's largest electronics subcontractors.
Hadco Corporation →
Active · founded 1966
For over two decades, Hadco Corporation has been a leader in the development and manufacture of electronic packaging…
Hadco Corporation →
Active · founded 1966
For over two decades, Hadco Corporation has been a leader in the development and manufacture of electronic packaging…
Altron Incorporated →
Active · founded 1970
Altron Incorporated is a leading contract manufacturer of advanced electronic interconnect products, including surface…
Altron Incorporated →
Active · founded 1970
Altron Incorporated is a leading contract manufacturer of advanced electronic interconnect products, including surface…
Western Digital Corp. →
Active · founded 1970
Western Digital Corp.
Western Digital Corp. →
Active · founded 1970
Western Digital Corp.
Dialogic Corporation →
Active · founded 1983 · www.dialogic.com
Dialogic Corporation, which has been credited with creating the computer telephony industry, is a world leader in…
Dialogic Corporation →
Active · founded 1983 · www.dialogic.com
Dialogic Corporation, which has been credited with creating the computer telephony industry, is a world leader in…
ESS Technology, Inc. →
Active · founded 1984
ESS Technology, Inc.
ESS Technology, Inc. →
Active · founded 1984
ESS Technology, Inc.
Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc. →
Active · founded 1991
Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc., an international cosmetic laser company, is one of the most promising firms in the…
Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc. →
Active · founded 1991
Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc., an international cosmetic laser company, is one of the most promising firms in the…
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