COMPANYHISTORIES
NAIC 61171

Educational Support Services

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

5companies1947–1979founding years4still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedEducational Testing Service
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedRecording for the Blind & Dyslexic
1951
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedChugach Alaska Corporation
1971
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
FoundedThe Thomson Corporation
1977
FoundedSylvan Learning Systems, Inc.
1979
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
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
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
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

Educational Testing Service →
Active · founded 1947
Educational Testing Service (ETS) is the world's largest administrator of standardized tests and a leader in…
Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic →
Active · founded 1951
Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D) is a national nonprofit organization based in Princeton, New Jersey,…
Chugach Alaska Corporation →
Active · founded 1971
Chugach Alaska Corporation (CAC) is one of the most successful of the 12 Alaska Native Regional Corporations that were…
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,…
Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc. →
Renamed · founded 1979
From tutoring school children lagging in the three Rs to building a collection of universities in Europe, Sylvan…
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