Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC)

Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) was an American company founded in 1957 that played a key role in the early development of computers. Known for its innovative minicomputers, DEC helped make computing more accessible to businesses and academic institutions, paving the way for the modern computing era. Their VAX series of computers, launched in the 1970s, became particularly popular. DEC was also influential in networking technologies. Despite its success, the company struggled to adapt to the rise of personal computers and was eventually acquired by Compaq in 1998, which was later absorbed by Hewlett-Packard.