Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
The Computer Business of the 1960s
Computers began to expand rapidly as business tools. The initial expansions took
place in industries with high volumes of paperwork and large clerical staffs. Bank-
ing, insurance, and stock trading are prime examples of paper-intensive industries
that would soon benefit from using computers and software.
During the latter part of the 1960s, the computer trade press began to use an
unflattering name, “IBM and the Seven Dwarves,” for the companies in the com-
puter business. There were actually more than seven computer companies, but the
name had such a provocative ring that it became popular. The companies included
in this set were:
• Burroughs
• Control Data Corporation (CDC)
• GE
• Honeywell
• National Cash Register (NCR)
• RCA
• UNIVAC
During this decade, the computer and software business was exploding in size
and capabilities. In later decades, the business climate would change and most of
the smaller computer companies would be acquired, withdraw from computers, or
go out of business, as will be discussed in later chapters. The competition between
IBM and these companies is interesting in its own right but only of peripheral in-
terest to the history of software engineering.
Other computer companies not included in the “seven dwarf” list were some-
what specialized and included the following:
• Amdahl
• Apollo
• Cray
• Data General
• DEC
• Ferranti
• Fujitsu
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