COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 5072

Hardware

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

8companies1891–1971founding years8still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedVictorinox AGFoundedVictorinox AG
1891
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
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.
FoundedPremier Industrial CorporationFoundedPremier Industrial Corporation
1946
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedFastenal CompanyFoundedFastenal Company
1968
FoundedWaxman Industries, Inc.FoundedWaxman Industries, Inc.
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.
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

Victorinox AG →
Active · founded 1891 · Switzerland
Victorinox AG has spent the 20th century perfecting and popularizing a cultural icon: the Swiss Army knife.
Victorinox AG →
Active · founded 1891 · Switzerland
Victorinox AG has spent the 20th century perfecting and popularizing a cultural icon: the Swiss Army knife.
Premier Industrial Corporation →
Active · founded 1946
Premier Industrial Corporation is one of the United States' largest broad-line electronics distributors.
Premier Industrial Corporation →
Active · founded 1946
Premier Industrial Corporation is one of the United States' largest broad-line electronics distributors.
Fastenal Company →
Active · founded 1968
Fastenal Company sells nuts, bolts, and other industrial and construction supplies.
Fastenal Company →
Active · founded 1968
Fastenal Company sells nuts, bolts, and other industrial and construction supplies.
Waxman Industries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1971
Waxman Industries, Inc., a company based in suburban Cleveland, Ohio, has grown from a small family concern to one of…
Waxman Industries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1971
Waxman Industries, Inc., a company based in suburban Cleveland, Ohio, has grown from a small family concern to one of…
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