Microsoft Volume I

Microsoft. After nearly a decade of Acquired episodes, we are
finally ready to tackle the most valuable company ever created.
The company that put a computer on every desk and in every home.
The company that invented the software business model. The
company that so thoroughly and completely dominated every
conceivable competitor that the United States government
intervened and kneecapped it… yet it’s STILL the most valuable
company in the world today.


This episode tells the story of Microsoft in its heyday, the PC
Era. We cover its rise from a teenage dream to the most powerful
business and technology force in history — the 20-year period
from 1975 to 1995 that took Bill and Paul from the Lakeside high
school computer room to launching Windows 95 alongside Jay Leno
and the Rolling Stones. From BASIC to DOS, Windows, Office,
Intel, IBM, Xerox PARC, Apple, Steve Jobs, Steve Ballmer… it’s
all here, and it’s all amazing. Tune in and enjoy… Microsoft.


Sponsors:


WorkOS: https://bit.ly/workos25

Sierra: https://bit.ly/acquiredsierra

Sentry: https://bit.ly/acquiredsentry

Anthropic: https://bit.ly/acquiredclaude25



Links:


Congress changing copyright law in 1980 to include “computer
programs”

Acquired “classic” on Microsoft’s 1987 acquisition of
Forethought / PowerPoint

Quartr's charts on Microsoft's revenues, market cap, IBM
comparison, and more

All episode sources



Carve Outs:


LGR

André 3000’s new album + GQ Interview

Meta Ray-Bans

Visual Designer Julia Rundberg

Summer Health






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‍Note: Acquired hosts and guests may hold assets discussed in
this episode. This podcast is not investment advice, and is
intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You
should do your own research and make your own independent
decisions when considering any financial transactions.