Tech history in photos: Software giants of the 1980s
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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 Founders Chuck Geshke and John Warnock in 1988
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.
John Walker, founder of Autodesk, with early employees
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.
Avid founder Bill Warner
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.
Ed Iacobucci, co-founder of Citrix
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.
Intuit founders Scott Cook and Tom Proulx
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.
Mitch Kapor, founder of Lotus Software
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.
John McAfee, founder of McAfee Associates
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.
Ray Noorda of Novell
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.
Michael Cowpland of Corel
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.
