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DEC was Formed
Formed by Kenneth Olsen and Harlan Anderson, former workers at MIT. The company was founded in Maynard Massachusetts, USA. -
The PDP-1 was Introduced
This was a massive bulky computer, revolutionary for its time. It also had a circular screen. -
PDP-4 was Created
For $63,000, you could own a PDP-4 of your own! While expensive, it was one of the cheapest options at the time. It was similar to PDP-1 but with worse specs. -
Spacewar! Released
Regarded as the first video game, Spacewar! was developed by Steve Russell, Martin Graetz, Peter Samson, and Wayne Witaenem. -
"Flip Chip" revealed
A component for a digital logic system. It would be used on the PDP-8. It was a collection of central processing units, controllers, and other components. -
PDP-8 Released
Regarded as the first true minicomputer, it sold for $8,500. It used the flip-chips designed in house. -
PDP-11 Released
Even more compact, the PDP-11 was a set of 16-bit minicomputers. It was considered to be the most popular computer at the time. -
VAX was Released
The first VAX cpu was VAX-11/780, a 32 bit minicomputer. This computer was massively popular for its size and price. -
"There is no reason for any individual to have a computer in his home" - Cofounder Ken Olsen
Ken Olsen states the iconic phrase that "There is no reason for any individual to have a computer in his home". He has since said this quote was taken of out context. -
Rainbow 100 Released
Their first desktop computer that could be purchased by an average person. ($2,500) -
First 10MBit/s Ethernet
This allowed DEC computers to talk to each other and form a connection. This system was also scalable. -
DEC is 5th Company to Register ".com" Domain
They registered DEC.com, becoming the 5th company in the world to do so. -
Ken Olsen Forced to Resign
Ken Olsen was forced out of CEO position, likely because he didn't adjust to the new trends properly and effectively. -
DEC Releases Alpha Server
Based on the Alpha architecture, these were popular. -
StrongARM released
This was targetted at embedded systems, compatible with ARM4. -
DEC bought out by Compaq
Marking an end to DEC as an independent company, they were sold to Compaq for $9.6 billion.