History of Software

The following is a brief overview of each of the first three decades in the history of the software industry including links to lists of companies founded in each of those decades. We're always adding to our lists of companies, so if you know of ones that aren't yet on our list, please send us an email and let us know about them.
The 1950s
Computers become extensively used for business applications
First contract programming firms formed
more about the 1950s companies founded in the 1950s
The 1960s
Contract programming services industry grows rapidly; some companies go public
First software products come on the market
ICP Quarterly, a catalog of available software programs, first published in January, 1967
Thousands of companies formed by the end of the decade
IBM announces unbundling in June, 1969
more about the 1960s companies founded in the 1960s
The 1970s
Software products become accepted by customers
First ICP Million Dollar Awards given to 29 software products in 1971
Software industry grows rapidly despite lack of financing sources; Cullinane Corp goes public in 1978 (first software product company to go public)
First PC software companies founded