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CXO

Tech history in photos: Software giants of the 1980s

By Conner Forrest April 15, 2014, 7:35 AM PDT

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Tech history in photos: Software giants of the 1980s

Peter Norton

Peter Norton

The 1980s were not just a decade of big hair and neon colors, they actually saw major innovation in software. Take a look at the some of the definitive software pioneers of the decade.

This first photo features Peter Norton, who got his start writing DOS-based software programs, such as the UNERASE tool. He is best known for his anti-virus software that he eventually sold to Symantec.

adobe.jpg
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Tech history in photos: Software giants of the 1980s

Adobe Founders Chuck Geshke and John Warnock in 1988

Image: Doug Menuez

Adobe Founders Chuck Geshke and John Warnock in 1988

Warnock and Geshke founded Adobe Systems in 1982. The company introduced its flagship product, Photoshop, in 1989.

Image: Doug Menuez
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Tech history in photos: Software giants of the 1980s

John Walker, founder of Autodesk, with early employees

Image: The Autodesk File/John Walker

John Walker, founder of Autodesk, with early employees

Walker founded the company in 1982 and helped to author the company’s AutoCAD (computer-aided design) software. AutoCAD is still popular among engineers and architects, among others.

Image: The Autodesk File/John Walker
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Tech history in photos: Software giants of the 1980s

Avid founder Bill Warner

Image: boston.com/Scott Kirsner

Avid founder Bill Warner

Avid got its start in 1987, and is known for its video production and editing software. Founder Bill Warner, an MIT grad, credits his start in technology to a farmer named John Beall.

Image: boston.com/Scott Kirsner
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Tech history in photos: Software giants of the 1980s

Ed Iacobucci, co-founder of Citrix

Image: Citrix Blogger/Jeff Muir

Ed Iacobucci, co-founder of Citrix

Iacobucci was a former IBM developer who helped found Citrix in 1989. Unfortunately, he died of cancer in 2013.

Image: Citrix Blogger/Jeff Muir
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Tech history in photos: Software giants of the 1980s

Intuit founders Scott Cook and Tom Proulx

Image: Virginia Boyd

Intuit founders Scott Cook and Tom Proulx

Cook and Proulx founded Intuit in Palo Alto, California in 1983. The company gained traction with its Quicken program for personal finance, and later its accounting software, QuickBooks.

Image: Virginia Boyd
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Tech history in photos: Software giants of the 1980s

Mitch Kapor, founder of Lotus Software

Image: tricycle

Mitch Kapor, founder of Lotus Software

Kapor cofounded Lotus with Jonathan Sachs in 1982. Kapor designed Lotus 1-2-3, the company’s spreadsheet program that led to its success.

Image: tricycle
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mcafee.jpg
Tech history in photos: Software giants of the 1980s

John McAfee, founder of McAfee Associates

Image: John McAfee/Personal Photo

John McAfee, founder of McAfee Associates

McAfee founded McAfee Associates, to produce anti-virus software, in 1987. McAfee has faced criticism for his personal life after his run-ins with the law.

Image: John McAfee/Personal Photo
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Tech history in photos: Software giants of the 1980s

Ray Noorda of Novell

Image: Brigham Young University

Ray Noorda of Novell

Novell, developer of NetWare, was founded by Noorda and Drew Major. Unfortunately he died from complications with Alzheimer’s disease in 2006.

Image: Brigham Young University
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corel.jpg
Tech history in photos: Software giants of the 1980s

Michael Cowpland of Corel

Image: Corel Corp.

Michael Cowpland of Corel

Cowpland launched Cowpland Research Laboratory, which would become Corel, in 1985. The company was know for its purchase of WordPerfect and for later introducing CorelDRAW in 1989.

Image: Corel Corp.
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By Conner Forrest
Conner is a former Senior Editor for TechRepublic. He is now a Senior Research Analyst at 451 Research.
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