April 4, 1975

Microsoft is founded as a partnership between Bill Gates and Paul Allen in Albuquerque, New Mexico, marking the beginning of one of the world's largest technology companies.

Albuquerque, United States | Microsoft

Microsoft is Founded: April 4, 1975

On April 4, 1975, Microsoft was founded as a partnership between Bill Gates and Paul Allen in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This event marked the inception of what would become one of the world’s largest and most influential technology companies.

Background

  • Bill Gates and Paul Allen were childhood friends with a shared passion for computers and programming. They both attended Lakeside School in Seattle, where they first encountered computers.
  • In the early 1970s, Gates and Allen worked on various programming projects, including a version of the programming language BASIC for the Altair 8800, an early personal computer developed by Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems (MITS).

The Founding of Microsoft

  • The success of their BASIC interpreter for the Altair 8800 led Gates and Allen to establish their own company. They saw the potential for software to drive the emerging personal computer market.
  • On April 4, 1975, they officially founded “Micro-Soft,” a portmanteau of “microcomputer” and “software,” in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where MITS was headquartered.
  • The initial focus of Microsoft was to develop and sell software for personal computers, starting with their version of BASIC.

Early Challenges and Growth

  • Microsoft faced several challenges in its early years, including competition from other software developers and the need to establish a reliable customer base.
  • Despite these challenges, the company quickly gained traction by securing contracts with major computer manufacturers to supply software for their machines.

Key Developments

  • In 1980, Microsoft partnered with IBM to provide an operating system for their first personal computer, the IBM PC. This led to the development of MS-DOS, which became a cornerstone of Microsoft’s success.
  • The company’s relocation to Bellevue, Washington, in 1979, and later to Redmond, Washington, in 1986, positioned it closer to the burgeoning tech industry in the Pacific Northwest.

Legacy and Impact

  • Microsoft played a pivotal role in the personal computer revolution, making computing accessible to millions of people worldwide.
  • The company’s success turned Bill Gates into one of the wealthiest individuals globally and established Microsoft as a leader in the software industry.
  • Over the decades, Microsoft expanded its product offerings to include Windows, Office Suite, and various other software and hardware products, influencing the technology landscape significantly.

Conclusion

The founding of Microsoft on April 4, 1975, was a seminal moment in the history of technology. The partnership between Bill Gates and Paul Allen laid the groundwork for a company that would drive innovation and shape the future of computing for decades to come.

Reference: en.wikipedia.org