Big tech companies like Apple, Amazon, and Google have revolutionized how we live and work. From inspiring product launches to game-changing acquisitions, these tech titans have played a major role in shaping the modern world. Here are cool facts about big tech companies that you may not know:
- Google was originally called “BackRub” before it was renamed in 1998. The name “Google” is actually a play on the word “googol,” which is a mathematical term for the number represented by 1 followed by 100 zeros.
- Founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, Microsoft started out as a computer software publisher. The company quickly gained traction in the market, becoming the first to develop an operating system for personal computers called MS-DOS. With this success, Microsoft went on to create groundbreaking products such as Windows, Office, and Internet Explorer that revolutionized how we use computers today. In 2018, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates became the world’s second-richest person, with a net worth of over $90 billion.
- Apple began its operations as a computer company in 1976 with two employees, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. From the Apple I to the Macbook and iPhone, Apple has continuously innovated and pushed boundaries across multiple industries.
- Amazon started out as an online bookstore, but now it sells everything from clothes to electronics to groceries. Amazon soon diversified into other areas such as video streaming and cloud computing services. In 2017, it became the second company in history to surpass a market value of $1 trillion.
- Facebook was originally called “TheFacebook” when it was launched in 2004. The name was shortened to just “Facebook” in 2005. The company boasts 2.9 billion monthly active users in Q1 2022.
- Tesla‘s first car, the Tesla Roadster, was released in 2008. It was based on the Lotus Elise chassis and was powered by an electric motor that could accelerate the car from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. The Roadster had a range of 245 miles on a single charge, making it one of the first electric cars to have a long driving range. It was well-received by critics and helped establish Tesla as a leader in the electric vehicle market.
- Alphabet, Google’s parent company, has a division called X (formerly known as Google X) that works on developing and researching new technologies, including self-driving cars and balloon-powered internet access.
- Motorola was an innovator in the mobile phone industry, introducing the world’s first commercial handheld device in 1983 and the first fully automated cellular system in 1988. However, by 1998, Nokia had taken over as the top mobile phone seller, offering revolutionary designs, user-friendly interfaces, and a wide range of functionalities that allowed them to become a major success globally.
- Before Youtube became the online video platform we know today, it was originally launched in 2005 under the name Tune-in Hook-Up. This dating site allowed users to connect with potential partners and even take their relationships all the way to the wedding. YouTube was founded by three former PayPal employees–Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim – in February 2005.
- Samsung has established itself as a leader in technology innovation, particularly with its mobile devices. They were the first to introduce watch phones, digital television, and mp3 phones, taking the industry by storm and setting important milestones. Their inventions have cemented their position as one of the world’s foremost tech companies.
