COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 5045

Software, Computer: Wholesale

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

40companies1926–1991founding years40still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironment
FoundedHarris Corporation
1926
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression begins.
1933
EconomyNew Deal reforms reshape banking and industry.
FoundedHandleman Company
1937
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.
FoundedVolt Information Sciences Inc.
1957
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedPioneer-Standard Electronics Inc.
1963
FoundedParis Corporation
1964
FoundedComputer Data Systems, Inc.FoundedData General Corporation
1968
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.
FoundedTech Data Corporation
1974
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins with the Altair.
FoundedDaisytek International Corporation
1978
FoundedEl Camino Resources International, Inc.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher.
FoundedMerisel, Inc.
1980
FoundedDassault Systèmes S.A.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
FoundedCorporate Software Inc.FoundedKomag, Inc.FoundedNavarre CorporationFoundedSilverPlatter Information Inc.
1983
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedFTP Software, Inc.FoundedSega of America, Inc.
1986
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall 22% in a single day.
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

Harris Corporation →
Active · founded 1926
The origin of the Harris Corporation, a leading American electronics company, is actually to be found in the printing…
Harris Corporation →
Active · founded 1926
The origin of the Harris Corporation, a leading American electronics company, is actually to be found in the printing…
Handleman Company →
Active · founded 1937
Handleman Company is one of the largest U.S.
Handleman Company →
Active · founded 1937
Handleman Company is one of the largest U.S.
Volt Information Sciences Inc. →
Active · founded 1957
Volt Information Sciences Inc.
Volt Information Sciences Inc. →
Active · founded 1957
Volt Information Sciences Inc.
Pioneer-Standard Electronics Inc. →
Active · founded 1963
In 1996 Pioneer-Standard Electronics, Inc.
Pioneer-Standard Electronics Inc. →
Active · founded 1963
In 1996 Pioneer-Standard Electronics, Inc.
Paris Corporation →
Active · founded 1964
Paris Corporation is a holding company with, in 1997, two operating companies of its main subsidiary manufacturing…
Paris Corporation →
Active · founded 1964
Paris Corporation is a holding company with, in 1997, two operating companies of its main subsidiary manufacturing…
Computer Data Systems, Inc. →
Active · founded 1968
Computer Data Systems, Inc.
Computer Data Systems, Inc. →
Active · founded 1968
Computer Data Systems, Inc.
Data General Corporation →
Active · founded 1968
Data General Corporation is a manufacturer of multi-user computer systems: minicomputers, workstations, and servers.
Data General Corporation →
Active · founded 1968
Data General Corporation is a manufacturer of multi-user computer systems: minicomputers, workstations, and servers.
Tech Data Corporation →
Active · founded 1974
Tech Data Corporation is one of the largest distributors of personal computer products in the United States.
Tech Data Corporation →
Active · founded 1974
Tech Data Corporation is one of the largest distributors of personal computer products in the United States.
Daisytek International Corporation →
Active · founded 1978
Daisytek International Corporation is the largest wholesale distributor of non-paper computer and office automation…
Daisytek International Corporation →
Active · founded 1978
Daisytek International Corporation is the largest wholesale distributor of non-paper computer and office automation…
The Learning Company Inc. →
Active · founded 1978
The Learning Company Inc.
The Learning Company Inc. →
Active · founded 1978
The Learning Company 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…
Merisel, Inc. →
Active · founded 1980
Merisel, Inc., is the world's largest publicly held distributor of computer hardware and software products.
Merisel, Inc. →
Active · founded 1980
Merisel, Inc., is the world's largest publicly held distributor of computer hardware and software products.
Dassault Systèmes S.A. →
Active · founded 1981 · France
Dassault Systèmes S.A.
Dassault Systèmes S.A. →
Active · founded 1981 · France
Dassault Systèmes S.A.
Corporate Software Inc. →
Active · founded 1983
Corporate Software Inc., a public company that planned to go private in 1994, is a leading provider of software and…
Corporate Software Inc. →
Active · founded 1983
Corporate Software Inc., a public company that planned to go private in 1994, is a leading provider of software and…
Komag, Inc. →
Active · founded 1983
Komag, Inc., is the world's leading manufacturer of magnetic thin-film disks for computer hard drives.
Komag, Inc. →
Active · founded 1983
Komag, Inc., is the world's leading manufacturer of magnetic thin-film disks for computer hard drives.
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…
SilverPlatter Information Inc. →
Active · founded 1983
Although not well known to consumers, SilverPlatter Information Inc.
SilverPlatter Information Inc. →
Active · founded 1983
Although not well known to consumers, SilverPlatter Information Inc.
FTP Software, Inc. →
Active · founded 1986
FTP Software, Inc.
FTP Software, Inc. →
Active · founded 1986
FTP Software, Inc.
Sega of America, Inc. →
Active · founded 1986
Sega of America, Inc.
Sega of America, Inc. →
Active · founded 1986
Sega of America, Inc.
InaCom Corporation →
Active · founded 1991
The third-largest and most profitable computer distributor in the United States, InaCom Corporation was formed in 1991,…
InaCom Corporation →
Active · founded 1991
The third-largest and most profitable computer distributor in the United States, InaCom Corporation was formed in 1991,…
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