Microsoft was created in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen to develop software for the Altair 8800.
After reading about the Altair 8800 microcomputer in Popular Electronics, Gates and Allen contacted its manufacturer, MITS. They developed and demonstrated a version of the BASIC programming language for the machine, helping establish their new software business.
Microsoft later became central to the personal-computer revolution through MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows. It expanded into productivity software, servers, cloud computing, gaming, search, and enterprise services.
The company’s market value today reflects far more than its original programming-language product. Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform, Office software, Windows, Xbox, LinkedIn, and other businesses all contribute to its position among the world’s most valuable public companies.