COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 514191

Online Information Services

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

76companies1890–2001founding years68still active8no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedR.R. Donnelley & Sons Company
1890
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
FoundedBell and Howell Company
1907
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedUnited Business Media plc
1918
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
FoundedDow Jones & Company, Inc.
1930
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.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedBernard C. Harris Publishing Company, Inc.
1963
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.
FoundedUSA Interactive, Inc.
1982
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedIXC Communications, Inc.
1985
FoundedUUNET
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
FoundedCorbis Corporation
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
FoundedCNET Networks, Inc.FoundedTelstra Corporation Limited
1992
FoundedGT Interactive Software
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
FoundedLEXIS-NEXIS Group
1994
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
FoundedExpedia, Inc.FoundedProdigy Communications Corporation
1996
FoundedVeridian Corporation
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
FoundedCogent Communications Group, Inc.
1999
FoundedZiff Davis Media Inc.
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

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company →
Active · founded 1890
The largest commercial printing company in North America and a dominant player in the world communications arena, R.R.
R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company →
Active · founded 1890
The largest commercial printing company in North America and a dominant player in the world communications arena, R.R.
Landmark Communications, Inc. →
Active · founded 1905
1900s-20s:Samuel Slover becomes publisher and half-owner of the Newport News Times-Herald; Slover takes over a string…
Landmark Communications, Inc. →
Active · founded 1905
1900s-20s:Samuel Slover becomes publisher and half-owner of the Newport News Times-Herald; Slover takes over a string…
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…
The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. →
Active · founded 1909
The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. →
Active · founded 1909
United Business Media plc →
Active · founded 1918 · United Kingdom
Early 1980s:United Newspapers makes its first major U.S.
United Business Media plc →
Active · founded 1918 · United Kingdom
Early 1980s:United Newspapers makes its first major U.S.
Seat Pagine Gialle S.p.A. →
Defunct · founded 1925 · Italy
Seat Pagine Gialle S.p.A.
Seat Pagine Gialle S.p.A. →
Defunct · founded 1925 · Italy
Seat Pagine Gialle S.p.A.
Dow Jones & Company, Inc. →
Active · founded 1930
Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
Dow Jones & Company, Inc. →
Active · founded 1930
Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
Blackfoot Telecommunications Group →
Active · founded 1954
Blackfoot Telecommunications Group, a customer-owned cooperative, serves over 20,000 consumers in eight counties in…
Blackfoot Telecommunications Group →
Active · founded 1954
Blackfoot Telecommunications Group, a customer-owned cooperative, serves over 20,000 consumers in eight counties in…
Bernard C. Harris Publishing Company, Inc. →
Active · founded 1963
In its four decades of existence, Bernard C.
Bernard C. Harris Publishing Company, Inc. →
Active · founded 1963
In its four decades of existence, Bernard C.
New World Development Company Limited →
Active · founded 1970 · Hong Kong
Since its founding in 1970, New World Development Company Limited has been a leader in Hong Kong's bustling commercial…
New World Development Company Limited →
Active · founded 1970 · Hong Kong
Since its founding in 1970, New World Development Company Limited has been a leader in Hong Kong's bustling commercial…
USA Interactive, Inc. →
Active · founded 1982
The history of USA Interactive, Inc., formerly USA Networks, Inc., involves some of the media's biggest names,…
USA Interactive, Inc. →
Active · founded 1982
The history of USA Interactive, Inc., formerly USA Networks, Inc., involves some of the media's biggest names,…
Lifetime Entertainment Services →
Active · founded 1984
Lifetime Entertainment Services is a joint venture owned by The Walt Disney Company and The Hearst Corporation.
Lifetime Entertainment Services →
Active · founded 1984
Lifetime Entertainment Services is a joint venture owned by The Walt Disney Company and The Hearst Corporation.
IXC Communications, Inc. →
Active · founded 1985
IXC Communications, Inc., is among five "new-age carriers" (a group including Frontier Corporation, Level 3…
IXC Communications, Inc. →
Active · founded 1985
IXC Communications, Inc., is among five "new-age carriers" (a group including Frontier Corporation, Level 3…
Lason, Inc. →
Active · founded 1985
Lason, Inc.'s core business is the provision of information management services, including document and data capture,…
Lason, Inc. →
Active · founded 1985
Lason, Inc.'s core business is the provision of information management services, including document and data capture,…
UUNET →
Defunct · founded 1987
Founded in 1987, UUNET is recognized not only as the first commercial Internet service provider (ISP), but it is also…
UUNET →
Defunct · founded 1987
Founded in 1987, UUNET is recognized not only as the first commercial Internet service provider (ISP), but it is also…
Qwest Communications International, Inc. →
Defunct · founded 1988
From its origins as a fiber-optic network-building subsidiary of Southern Pacific Transportation Co., Qwest…
Qwest Communications International, Inc. →
Defunct · founded 1988
From its origins as a fiber-optic network-building subsidiary of Southern Pacific Transportation Co., Qwest…
Corbis Corporation →
Active · founded 1989
Corbis Corporation provides digital images to professional and nonprofessional customers through a handful of Web…
Corbis Corporation →
Active · founded 1989
Corbis Corporation provides digital images to professional and nonprofessional customers through a handful of Web…
IDT Corporation →
Active · founded 1990
IDT Corporation is a leading provider of long-distance telephone access, Internet access, and global Internet telephony…
IDT Corporation →
Active · founded 1990
IDT Corporation is a leading provider of long-distance telephone access, Internet access, and global Internet telephony…
Multimedia Games, Inc. →
Active · founded 1991
Multimedia Games, Inc.
Multimedia Games, Inc. →
Active · founded 1991
Multimedia Games, Inc.
CNET Networks, Inc. →
Active · founded 1992
Founded in 1992 as an online source of technology-related news and information, CNET Networks, Inc.
CNET Networks, Inc. →
Active · founded 1992
Founded in 1992 as an online source of technology-related news and information, CNET Networks, Inc.
Data Broadcasting Corporation →
Active · founded 1992
Data Broadcasting Corporation provides financial information services to private investors, financial institutions, and…
Data Broadcasting Corporation →
Active · founded 1992
Data Broadcasting Corporation provides financial information services to private investors, financial institutions, and…
Telstra Corporation Limited →
Active · founded 1992 · Australia
Telstra Corporation Limited is a full-service telecommunications, information services, and network platform company…
Telstra Corporation Limited →
Active · founded 1992 · Australia
Telstra Corporation Limited is a full-service telecommunications, information services, and network platform company…
Energis plc →
Active · founded 1993 · United Kingdom
Energis plc is a leading provider of telecommunications and e-commerce solutions to the business market in the United…
Energis plc →
Active · founded 1993 · United Kingdom
Energis plc is a leading provider of telecommunications and e-commerce solutions to the business market in the United…
GT Interactive Software →
Active · founded 1993
GT Interactive Software is a major publisher and distributor of entertainment software for PC and Macintosh computers,…
GT Interactive Software →
Active · founded 1993
GT Interactive Software is a major publisher and distributor of entertainment software for PC and Macintosh computers,…
Ho-Chunk Inc. →
Active · founded 1994
Ho-Chunk Inc.
Ho-Chunk Inc. →
Active · founded 1994
Ho-Chunk Inc.
LEXIS-NEXIS Group →
Active · founded 1994
The LEXIS-NEXIS Group, a business division of Reed Elsevier plc, is a major electronic publisher and information…
LEXIS-NEXIS Group →
Active · founded 1994
The LEXIS-NEXIS Group, a business division of Reed Elsevier plc, is a major electronic publisher and information…
United Pan-Europe Communications NV →
Active · founded 1995 · The Netherlands
Not content with becoming one of Europe's largest cable television companies, with more than seven million subscribers,…
United Pan-Europe Communications NV →
Active · founded 1995 · The Netherlands
Not content with becoming one of Europe's largest cable television companies, with more than seven million subscribers,…
Expedia, Inc. →
Active · founded 1996
Expedia, Inc.
Expedia, Inc. →
Active · founded 1996
Expedia, Inc.
Experian Information Solutions Inc. →
Active · founded 1996
Experian Information Solutions Inc.
Experian Information Solutions Inc. →
Active · founded 1996
Experian Information Solutions Inc.
Prodigy Communications Corporation →
Active · founded 1996
Prodigy Communications Corporation provides its subscribers with Internet access and related value-added services, such…
Prodigy Communications Corporation →
Active · founded 1996
Prodigy Communications Corporation provides its subscribers with Internet access and related value-added services, such…
Travelocity.com, Inc. →
Active · founded 1996
Travelocity.com, Inc.
Travelocity.com, Inc. →
Active · founded 1996
Travelocity.com, Inc.
Veridian Corporation →
Active · founded 1997
Veridian Corporation supplies IT services to the federal government.
Veridian Corporation →
Active · founded 1997
Veridian Corporation supplies IT services to the federal government.
Google, Inc. →
Active · founded 1998
Chances are, if you've ever searched for anything on the Internet, you've discovered Google.com.
Google, Inc. →
Active · founded 1998
Chances are, if you've ever searched for anything on the Internet, you've discovered Google.com.
Cogent Communications Group, Inc. →
Active · founded 1999
For companies involved in transmitting high-speed Internet-based data, the so-called "last mile" is considered the most…
Cogent Communications Group, Inc. →
Active · founded 1999
For companies involved in transmitting high-speed Internet-based data, the so-called "last mile" is considered the most…
T-Online International AG →
Active · founded 2000 · Germany
T-Online International AG is one of Europe's largest Internet service providers, with some 12.5 million…
T-Online International AG →
Active · founded 2000 · Germany
T-Online International AG is one of Europe's largest Internet service providers, with some 12.5 million…
Ziff Davis Media Inc. →
Active · founded 2000
Ziff Davis Media Inc.
Ziff Davis Media Inc. →
Active · founded 2000
Ziff Davis Media Inc.
AOL Time Warner Inc. →
Defunct · founded 2001
Global media powerhouse AOL Time Warner Inc.
AOL Time Warner Inc. →
Defunct · founded 2001
Global media powerhouse AOL Time Warner Inc.
United Online, Inc. →
Active · founded 2001
United Online, Inc.
United Online, Inc. →
Active · founded 2001
United Online, Inc.
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