HONESTY

投稿200回記念として...…社訓はHonesty。

Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), also known simply as Digital, was a pioneering American company in the field of computer technology. Founded in 1957 by Ken Olsen, Harlan Anderson, and a team of engineers, DEC played a significant role in the development of minicomputers, which bridged the gap between large mainframes and smaller microcomputers. Here are some key points about DEC:

Key Historical Highlights

1. Founding and Early Years:

   • DEC was founded in Maynard, Massachusetts, with an initial investment of $70,000 from American Research and Development Corporation (ARDC).

   • The company's first product was the Digital Laboratory Module, a set of digital logic circuits sold to researchers and engineers for building experimental equipment.

2. PDP Series:

   • In 1960, DEC introduced the PDP-1 (Programmed Data Processor-1), one of the first minicomputers. It was much smaller and less expensive than the mainframes of the time.

   • The PDP-8, introduced in 1965, became one of the most successful minicomputers, widely used in industrial control, laboratory, and business applications.

3. VAX Series:

   • In 1977, DEC launched the VAX (Virtual Address eXtension) series, starting with the VAX-11/780. The VAX architecture introduced virtual memory capabilities and was highly successful in both commercial and scientific computing.

   • VAX/VMS (Virtual Memory System) was the operating system designed for the VAX series, known for its robustness and advanced features.

4. Alpha AXP Architecture:

   • In the early 1990s, DEC developed the Alpha AXP architecture, a 64-bit RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing) microprocessor that offered high performance and was used in servers, workstations, and supercomputers.

   • OpenVMS and other operating systems were ported to the Alpha platform, showcasing DEC's commitment to high-performance computing.

Innovations and Contributions

• Networking:

  • DEC was a pioneer in computer networking. DECnet, a suite of network protocols developed by the company, allowed for seamless communication between DEC systems and other devices.

  • DEC's involvement in networking standards and protocols helped lay the groundwork for modern networking technologies.

• Software Development:

  • DEC developed influential software, including the RSX-11 operating system for the PDP-11 series and the influential VMS operating system for the VAX series.

  • The company also contributed to the development of early programming languages and software development tools.

• Corporate Culture and Impact:

  • DEC was known for its engineering-driven culture and its emphasis on innovation and quality.

  • The company's open and collaborative approach influenced many aspects of the modern tech industry, including software development practices and corporate management styles.

※今はもうない会社です（200回目に取り上げようと… by Chatzz!)