Compaq Computer Corporation was an American personal pc company founded in 1982. Once the largest carrier of personal computing systems worldwide, Compaq existed as a private corporation until 2002, anytime it merged with Hewlett-Packard.
The provider was formed by Rods Canion, Jim Harris plus Bill Murto former Florida Instruments senior managers. The name "COMPAQ" was made from "Compatibility and Quality", as at its formation Compaq produced most of the first IBM PC suitable computers.
Prior to its takeover the firm was headquartered in northwest unincorporated Harris County, Texas, United States.
Compaq was initially founded in February 1982 by just Rod Canion, Jim Harris plus Bill Murto, three person managers from semiconductor designer Texas Instruments. Each devoted $1, 000 to form the firm. Their first venture capital got their start in Ben Rosen and Sevin Rosen Money. The original Compaq PC was initially sketched out on a placemat by way of the founders while dining inside a local Houston restaurant, Place of Pies.
Two major marketing executives in Compaq's earlier years, Jim D'Arezzo plus Sparky Sparks, had derive from IBM's PC Group. Other key executives the reason for the company's meteoric growth during the late 80s and beginning 90s were Ross Some. Cooley, another former IBMer, who served for a few years as SVP of GM The us; Michael Swavely, who was send out chief marketing officer during the early years, and eventually ran the The us organization, later passing around that responsibility to Mr. Cooley, anytime Swavely retired. In the nation, Brendan A. "Mac" McLoughlin (another quite a while IBM executive) led send out field sales organization after operating the Western U. Verts. Area of Operations. Those gifted executives, along with other key contributors, together with Kevin Ellington, Douglas Johns, Steven Flannigan, together with Gary Stimac, helped the provider with the IBM Corporation overall personal computer sales different types, after many predicted that none could contest with the behemoth.
In Late 1982 Compaq announced their first product, the Compaq Mobile, a portable IBM PC compatible personal pc. It was released within March 1983 at $2995, far more affordable than the Canadian Hyperion. The Compaq Portable was among the many progenitors of today's personal computer; some called it a "suitcase computer" ready for its size and the search of its case. It had become the second IBM DESKTOP compatible, being capable of running all software that is going to run on an IBM PERSONAL PC. It was a financial success, selling 53, 000 gadgets in its first year or so and generating $111 trillion in sales revenue. The Compaq Portable was the main in the range within the Compaq Portable series. Compaq could market a legal IBM clone because IBM mostly utilized "off the shelf" parts with regard to their PC. Furthermore, Microsoft had kept the appropriate to license the computer to other computer makers. The only part which must be duplicated was the BIOS, which Compaq did legally using clean room reverse anatomist for $1 million. Phoenix Technologies were the main to follow their guide, but soon "clone BIOSes" were available from some other companies who reversed engineered IBM's design, then sold their version into the PC clone manufacturers.