COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 334611

Software Reproducing

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

14companies1949–1998founding years12still active2no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironment
FoundedAutomatic Data Processing, Inc.FoundedAutomatic Data Processing, Inc.
1949
1956
EconomyThe Interstate Highway program remakes commerce.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
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.
FoundedAmeritrade Holding CorporationFoundedAmeritrade Holding Corporation
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins with the Altair.
FoundedCandle CorporationFoundedCandle Corporation
1976
FoundedSierra On-Line, Inc.FoundedSierra On-Line, Inc.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
FoundedAdobe Systems Inc.FoundedAdobe Systems Inc.
1983
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedMetatec International, Inc.FoundedMetatec International, Inc.
1985
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.
FoundedAltiris, Inc.FoundedAltiris, Inc.
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

Automatic Data Processing, Inc. →
Active · founded 1949
The undisputed number one paymaster to the nation, Automatic Data Processing, Inc.
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. →
Active · founded 1949
The undisputed number one paymaster to the nation, Automatic Data Processing, Inc.
Ameritrade Holding Corporation →
Active · founded 1975
Ameritrade Holding Corporation is a discount broker-dealer that operates through four subsidiaries: Ameritrade,…
Ameritrade Holding Corporation →
Active · founded 1975
Ameritrade Holding Corporation is a discount broker-dealer that operates through four subsidiaries: Ameritrade,…
Candle Corporation →
Active · founded 1976
As one of the world's largest independent software and services companies, El Segundo, California-based Candle…
Candle Corporation →
Active · founded 1976
As one of the world's largest independent software and services companies, El Segundo, California-based Candle…
Sierra On-Line, Inc. →
Active · founded 1979
Sierra On-Line, Inc., a subsidiary of Vivendi Universal Publishing (formerly known as Havas Interactive), operates as…
Sierra On-Line, Inc. →
Active · founded 1979
Sierra On-Line, Inc., a subsidiary of Vivendi Universal Publishing (formerly known as Havas Interactive), operates as…
Adobe Systems Inc. →
Active · founded 1983
Adobe Systems Inc.
Adobe Systems Inc. →
Active · founded 1983
Adobe Systems Inc.
Metatec International, Inc. →
Active · founded 1985
Metatec International, Inc.
Metatec International, Inc. →
Active · founded 1985
Metatec International, Inc.
Altiris, Inc. →
Defunct · founded 1998
Based in Lindon, Utah, Altiris, Inc.
Altiris, Inc. →
Defunct · founded 1998
Based in Lindon, Utah, Altiris, Inc.
Build It Today

Starting a software reproducing company now

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