Microsoft

Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational software corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, licenses, manufactures and supports a wide variety of products and services related to computing. Founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in 1975, Microsoft is the world's largest software maker and the world's most valuable companies measured by revenue.

Microsoft was founded to develop and market BASIC interpreters for their Altair 8800. In 1981, they rose to dominate the personal computer operating system industry thanks to the success of MS-DOS, and has since proved to be the world's largest software maker.

Products
Main Article: List of Microsoft products

Microsoft has made a wide multitude of products, ranging from operating systems to video games to software.

1975-1983: Founding and Rise to Popularity
Paul Allen and Bill Gates, childhood friends with a passion for computer programming, were attempting to establish a business that would utilize their shared skills. In January 1975, Popular Electronics, a magazine, featured the Altair 8800 microcomputer in their January 1975 issue, which was developed by MITS. Paul Allen noticed that they could program a BASIC interpreter for the device. MITS asked for a demonstration after Gates developed a working interpreter. With Allen credited to building the simulator and Gates credited to the interpreter, the device worked flawlessly, and MITS agreed to distribute it. They officially established Microsoft, with Gates as the CEO. They moved to a new home in Alberquerque, New Mexico.