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Digital was founded by Kenneth Olsen and Harlan Ander
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Digital’s first computer, the Programmed Data Processor, or PDP-1, was sold in November 1960. The PDP-1 used technology from the developed at MIT (Whirlwind and Lincoln Projects)
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First mainframe affordable computers making the PDP-8 the first alternative to IBM and the Sperry Rand Corporation
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The company grew from the years 1960-1970 from 117 employees with $1.3 million in revenue to 5,800 workers generating $135 million in sales.
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First computer system to ship separate data communication paths. This was called UNIBUS, it did not use the central processing unit to move data inside the system.
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The DEC set up manufacturing in Europe specifically in Ireland
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The move to spread business into the European economy paid off when Ireland was admitted to the European Common Market. https://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/66/DIGITAL-EQUIPMENT-CORPORATION.html
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This computer is known as one of, if not the best, minicomputer in history. This product gave consumers an option to purchase a low-end or high-end computers. The high-end computers challenged IBMs most powerful mainframes.
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DEC incorporated a version of UNIX into the VAX computer system. This attracted more attention from Universities, expanding DEC market share.
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From the UNIX move Digital moved up in the ranks to the number two spot in computer sales only trailing IBM.
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From the years 1990-1995 Digital did not make a profit at all. This prompted a Board of Directors meeting ultimately removing Olsen as the top executive and replacing him with Robert Palmer
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Due to the economic recession in the early 1990s Digitals market share declined. The emerging new corporations also started to introduce UNIX making the application more available.
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Despite the profitability problems Digital faced. The company still came out with a new product called the Alpha microprocessor. The chip became known as the fastest in the world.
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The new Alpha product helped the profitability of Digital. However, the personal computer, minicomputer, and work stations side of the business started to fall apart.
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Digital Equipment Corporation bought out by Compaq Computer Corporation for 9.6 Billion dollars
