HONESTY
投稿200回記念として...…社訓はHonesty。
Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), also known simply as Digital, was a pioneering American company in the field of computer technology. Founded in 1957 by Ken Olsen, Harlan Anderson, and a team of engineers, DEC played a significant role in the development of minicomputers, which bridged the gap between large mainframes and smaller microcomputers. Here are some key points about DEC:
Key Historical Highlights
Founding and Early Years:
DEC was founded in Maynard, Massachusetts, with an initial investment of $70,000 from American Research and Development Corporation (ARDC).
The company's first product was the Digital Laboratory Module, a set of digital logic circuits sold to researchers and engineers for building experimental equipment.
PDP Series:
In 1960, DEC introduced the PDP-1 (Programmed Data Processor-1), one of the first minicomputers. It was much smaller and less expensive than the mainframes of the time.
The PDP-8, introduced in 1965, became one of the most successful minicomputers, widely used in industrial control, laboratory, and business applications.
VAX Series:
In 1977, DEC launched the VAX (Virtual Address eXtension) series, starting with the VAX-11/780. The VAX architecture introduced virtual memory capabilities and was highly successful in both commercial and scientific computing.
VAX/VMS (Virtual Memory System) was the operating system designed for the VAX series, known for its robustness and advanced features.
Alpha AXP Architecture:
In the early 1990s, DEC developed the Alpha AXP architecture, a 64-bit RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing) microprocessor that offered high performance and was used in servers, workstations, and supercomputers.
OpenVMS and other operating systems were ported to the Alpha platform, showcasing DEC's commitment to high-performance computing.
Innovations and Contributions
Networking:
DEC was a pioneer in computer networking. DECnet, a suite of network protocols developed by the company, allowed for seamless communication between DEC systems and other devices.
DEC's involvement in networking standards and protocols helped lay the groundwork for modern networking technologies.
Software Development:
DEC developed influential software, including the RSX-11 operating system for the PDP-11 series and the influential VMS operating system for the VAX series.
The company also contributed to the development of early programming languages and software development tools.
Corporate Culture and Impact:
DEC was known for its engineering-driven culture and its emphasis on innovation and quality.
The company's open and collaborative approach influenced many aspects of the modern tech industry, including software development practices and corporate management styles.
※今はもうない会社です（200回目に取り上げようと… by Chatzz!)