The History of Microsoft (1980)
For Microsoft, 1980 means a new decade and new technology. Microsoft introduces the Z-80 SoftCard, Steve Ballmer joins the company and we announce XENIX OS, a portable, UNIX-based operating system for 16-bit microprocessors.
1980-12-31 19:00:00 - Microsoft
January 1, 1980
Microsoft Consumer Products announces its first consumer-oriented application software, Typing Tutor.
April 2, 1980
Microsoft introduces the Z-80 SoftCard, a circuit board that plugs into the Apple II computer and allows Apple II users to run CP/M applications with only minor modifications.
June 11, 1980
Steve Ballmer joins Microsoft with responsibility for Operations, including personnel, finance, and legal areas of the business.
August 25, 1980
Microsoft announces XENIX OS, a portable, UNIX-based operating system for 16-bit microprocessors.
1980 Revenue/Headcount
The 1980 year-end sales total $8,000,000. The 1980 Calendar Year employee headcount totals 40 people.
Other products released in 1980:
Basic Compiler 5.3
TRS-DOS COBOL and Basic
muLISP and muMATH
TRS-80 Editor/Assember
XMacro-86 Cross Assembler
COBOL-80 Compiler 4.0
BASIC Interpreter for Z8000
Olympic Decathlon (game)
M/SORT FORTRAN & COBOL for Apple II
RAMcard (memory expander for the Apple II)