COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 3669

Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment & Components, Except Computer Equipment

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

24companies1876–1989founding years22still active2no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedDiebold, IncorporatedFoundedDiebold, Incorporated
1876
FoundedFederal Signal Corp.
1901
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
FoundedGroupe Dassault Aviation SAFoundedGroupe Dassault Aviation SA
1911
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedHarris Corporation
1926
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.
FoundedHarmon Industries, Inc.FoundedHarmon Industries, Inc.
1961
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
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.
FoundedUltrak Inc.FoundedUltrak Inc.
1980
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
FoundedComverse Technology, Inc.FoundedPictureTel Corp.FoundedPictureTel Corp.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedHughes Electronics Corporation
1985
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
FoundedAscend Communications, Inc.FoundedAscend Communications, Inc.FoundedDaimler-Benz Aerospace AG
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
TechnologyLinux and open source challenge proprietary software.
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

Diebold, Incorporated →
Active · founded 1876
In the wake of the 1871 Great Chicago Fire, natural disaster proved a boon for Diebold Bahmann & Co.
Diebold, Incorporated →
Active · founded 1876
In the wake of the 1871 Great Chicago Fire, natural disaster proved a boon for Diebold Bahmann & Co.
Federal Signal Corp. →
Active · founded 1901
Federal Signal Corp., the nation's leading manufacturer of emergency vehicles and street sweepers, also produces…
Federal Signal Corp. →
Active · founded 1901
Federal Signal Corp., the nation's leading manufacturer of emergency vehicles and street sweepers, also produces…
Groupe Dassault Aviation SA →
Active · founded 1911 · France
One of France's most important developers and producers of military aircraft, including the famed Mirage series and…
Groupe Dassault Aviation SA →
Active · founded 1911 · France
One of France's most important developers and producers of military aircraft, including the famed Mirage series and…
Harris Corporation →
Active · founded 1926
The origin of the Harris Corporation, a leading American electronics company, is actually to be found in the printing…
Harris Corporation →
Active · founded 1926
The origin of the Harris Corporation, a leading American electronics company, is actually to be found in the printing…
Harmon Industries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1961
Harmon Industries, Inc.
Harmon Industries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1961
Harmon Industries, 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…
Ultrak Inc. →
Active · founded 1980
Ultrak Inc.
Ultrak Inc. →
Active · founded 1980
Ultrak Inc.
Comverse Technology, Inc. →
Active · founded 1984
Comverse Technology, Inc.
Comverse Technology, Inc. →
Active · founded 1984
Comverse Technology, Inc.
PictureTel Corp. →
Defunct · founded 1984
PictureTel Corp.
PictureTel Corp. →
Defunct · founded 1984
PictureTel Corp.
Hughes Electronics Corporation →
Active · founded 1985
Hughes Electronics Corporation is one of the world's leading satellite and wireless communications companies.
Hughes Electronics Corporation →
Active · founded 1985
Hughes Electronics Corporation is one of the world's leading satellite and wireless communications companies.
Ascend Communications, Inc. →
Active · founded 1989
Ascend Communications, Inc.
Ascend Communications, Inc. →
Active · founded 1989
Ascend Communications, Inc.
Daimler-Benz Aerospace AG →
Active · founded 1989 · Germany
With less than a decade under its belt, Daimler-Benz Aerospace AG has transformed the German aircraft industry from a…
Daimler-Benz Aerospace AG →
Active · founded 1989 · Germany
With less than a decade under its belt, Daimler-Benz Aerospace AG has transformed the German aircraft industry from a…
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