COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 514199

All Other Information Services

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

14companies1882–1998founding years14still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedWest GroupFoundedWest Group
1882
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
FoundedArthur D. Little, Inc.FoundedArthur D. Little, Inc.
1909
FoundedArnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A.FoundedArnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A.
1912
FoundedEquifax Inc.FoundedEquifax Inc.
1913
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedPitney Bowes Inc.FoundedPitney Bowes Inc.
1920
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
FoundedThe Thomson CorporationFoundedThe Thomson Corporation
1977
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
FoundedInforma Group plcFoundedInforma Group plc
1998
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

West Group →
Active · founded 1882
West Group, the leading information provider to the U.S.
West Group →
Active · founded 1882
West Group, the leading information provider to the U.S.
Arthur D. Little, Inc. →
Active · founded 1909
Arthur D.
Arthur D. Little, Inc. →
Active · founded 1909
Arthur D.
Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A. →
Active · founded 1912 · Italy
Late 1980s:Battle for control of Mondadori begins between De Benedetti and Berlusconi.
Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A. →
Active · founded 1912 · Italy
Late 1980s:Battle for control of Mondadori begins between De Benedetti and Berlusconi.
Equifax Inc. →
Active · founded 1913
Equifax Inc.
Equifax Inc. →
Active · founded 1913
Equifax Inc.
Pitney Bowes Inc. →
Active · founded 1920
Pitney Bowes Inc.
Pitney Bowes Inc. →
Active · founded 1920
Pitney Bowes Inc.
The Thomson Corporation →
Active · founded 1977 · Canada
As it prepares to enter the 21st century, The Thomson Corporation is completing its transformation from a media,…
The Thomson Corporation →
Active · founded 1977 · Canada
As it prepares to enter the 21st century, The Thomson Corporation is completing its transformation from a media,…
Informa Group plc →
Active · founded 1998 · United Kingdom
Informa Group plc assembles and sells specialized information in six broad business sectors: finance and insurance;…
Informa Group plc →
Active · founded 1998 · United Kingdom
Informa Group plc assembles and sells specialized information in six broad business sectors: finance and insurance;…
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