COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 3699

Electrical Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies, Nec

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

14companies1929–1983founding years14still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedGrumman CorporationFoundedGrumman Corporation
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
FoundedMatsushita Electric Works, Ltd.FoundedMatsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
1935
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedLitton Industries, Inc.FoundedLitton Industries, Inc.
1953
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
FoundedTeradyne, Inc.FoundedTeradyne, Inc.
1960
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedSchneider S.A.FoundedSchneider S.A.
1966
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.
FoundedLinear Technology, Inc.FoundedLinear Technology, Inc.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
FoundedMaxim Integrated Products, Inc.FoundedMaxim Integrated Products, Inc.
1983
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.
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

Grumman Corporation →
Active · founded 1929
The manufacturer of the U.S.
Grumman Corporation →
Active · founded 1929
The manufacturer of the U.S.
Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. →
Active · founded 1935 · Japan
Matsushita Electric Works (MEW) is the industrial counterpart of the better-known Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.,…
Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. →
Active · founded 1935 · Japan
Matsushita Electric Works (MEW) is the industrial counterpart of the better-known Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.,…
Litton Industries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1953
The U.S.
Litton Industries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1953
The U.S.
Teradyne, Inc. →
Active · founded 1960
Teradyne, Inc.
Teradyne, Inc. →
Active · founded 1960
Teradyne, Inc.
Schneider S.A. →
Active · founded 1966 · France
After a dizzying series of complicated restructurings, acquisitions, and divestments that began in 1980 when the…
Schneider S.A. →
Active · founded 1966 · France
After a dizzying series of complicated restructurings, acquisitions, and divestments that began in 1980 when the…
Linear Technology, Inc. →
Active · founded 1981
Linear Technology, Inc.
Linear Technology, Inc. →
Active · founded 1981
Linear Technology, Inc.
Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. →
Active · founded 1983
Maxim Integrated Products, Inc., is a leading developer, manufacturer, and seller of linear as well as mixed (linear…
Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. →
Active · founded 1983
Maxim Integrated Products, Inc., is a leading developer, manufacturer, and seller of linear as well as mixed (linear…
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