Timeline of Bill Gates and Brainchild, Microsoft

  • Traf-O-Data

    Traf-O-Data
    First software partnership with Paul Allen Paul Gilbert for the Traf-O-Data, which studied traffic patterns
  • Formation of Micro-Soft

    Formation of Micro-Soft
    Gates and Allen found Micro-Soft and write the BASIC programming language for the Altair 8800
  • Protection of IP Microsoft

    Protection of IP Microsoft
    Gates writes the "Open Letter to Hobbyists" to attempt protection of intellectual property Microsoft
  • Partnership of Microsoft

    Microsoft officially becomes a partnership with Gates and Allen, Gates owning 64% of the company
    Microsoft
  • Arbitration Hearing Against maker of Altair 8800

    Arbitration Hearing Against maker of Altair 8800
    Microsoft wins arbitration hearing against the maker of the Altair 8800
  • MS-DOS

    MS-DOS
    The first version of MS-DOS is created as the operating system for new IBM PC
  • Big Deal, and Windows

    Big Deal, and Windows
    Microsoft signs agreement with IBM to write new operating system, and the first version of Microsoft Windows is released
  • Founding of Corbis

    Founding of Corbis
    Gates founds Corbis, media licensing company
  • Windows 3.0

    Windows 3.0
    The big release of Windows 3.0 which is an instant success
  • Windows 95

    Windows 95
    Windows 95 is released
  • The Road Ahead

    The Road Ahead
    Gates releases first edition of co-authored best seller, The Road Ahead
  • Second Best Seller

    Second Best Seller
    Gates writes second co-authored best seller, Business @ the Speed of Thought
  • Relationship with Berkshire-Hathaway

    Relationship with Berkshire-Hathaway
    Gates is elected to Board of Directors at Berkshire-Hathaway
  • The Giving Pledge

    The Giving Pledge
    Philanthropic group, The Giving Pledge, is created by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett
  • Resignation as Chairman

    Resignation as Chairman
    Gates resigns as Chairman of the Board at Microsoft to spend more time acting as a mentor to new CEO as a technology advisor