COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 51421

Data Processing Services

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

16companies1907–1999founding years12still active4no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedBell and Howell CompanyFoundedBell and Howell Company
1907
FoundedInternational Business Machines CorporationFoundedInternational Business Machines Corporation
1910
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
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.
FoundedElectronic Data Systems CorporationFoundedElectronic Data Systems Corporation
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedFirst Data CorporationFoundedFirst Data Corporation
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
FoundedSun Microsystems, Inc.FoundedSun Microsystems, Inc.
1982
FoundedFiserv, Inc.FoundedFiserv, Inc.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
FoundedPerot Systems CorporationFoundedPerot Systems Corporation
1988
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.
FoundedPayPal Inc.FoundedPayPal Inc.
1999
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

Bell and Howell Company →
Active · founded 1907
Bell and Howell Company is one of the leading suppliers of equipment and services for information-related services and…
Bell and Howell Company →
Active · founded 1907
Bell and Howell Company is one of the leading suppliers of equipment and services for information-related services and…
International Business Machines Corporation →
Active · founded 1910
International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) is the largest computer maker in the world.
International Business Machines Corporation →
Active · founded 1910
International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) is the largest computer maker in the world.
Electronic Data Systems Corporation →
Active · founded 1962
Electronic Data Systems Corporation (EDS) is a recognized leader in the management of information technology.
Electronic Data Systems Corporation →
Active · founded 1962
Electronic Data Systems Corporation (EDS) is a recognized leader in the management of information technology.
First Data Corporation →
Defunct · founded 1971
In 1995 two of the world's largest financial data processing businesses--First Financial Management Corporation and…
First Data Corporation →
Defunct · founded 1971
In 1995 two of the world's largest financial data processing businesses--First Financial Management Corporation and…
Sun Microsystems, Inc. →
Defunct · founded 1982
Archrival of Microsoft Corporation, Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Sun Microsystems, Inc. →
Defunct · founded 1982
Archrival of Microsoft Corporation, Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Fiserv, Inc. →
Active · founded 1984
Fiserv, Inc.
Fiserv, Inc. →
Active · founded 1984
Fiserv, Inc.
Perot Systems Corporation →
Active · founded 1988
Perot Systems Corporation, based in Dallas and chaired by Texas billionaire H.
Perot Systems Corporation →
Active · founded 1988
Perot Systems Corporation, based in Dallas and chaired by Texas billionaire H.
PayPal Inc. →
Active · founded 1999
PayPal Inc., a subsidiary of online auctioneer eBay, Inc., provides users with a means of exchanging funds via the…
PayPal Inc. →
Active · founded 1999
PayPal Inc., a subsidiary of online auctioneer eBay, Inc., provides users with a means of exchanging funds via the…
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