# Broderbund

> American software company

**Wikidata**: [Q995863](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q995863)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broderbund)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/broderbund

## Summary
Broderbund was an American software company founded in 1980, best known for developing and publishing popular video games and educational software. It created iconic titles like *Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?* and *The Print Shop*, and was acquired by The Learning Company in 1998.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1980 by Doug Carlston in Eugene, Oregon.
- Developed notable software including *The Print Shop* (1984), *Kid Pix* (1991), and *Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?* (1985).
- Acquired by The Learning Company in 1998 and dissolved as an independent entity.
- Headquartered in Novato, California, with earlier locations in Eugene and San Rafael.
- Revenue peaked at $172 million in fiscal year 1995.
- Publicly traded on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol BROD from 1991 to 1998.
- Created subsidiaries like Red Orb Entertainment and acquired companies like Banner Blue Software.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Broderbund known for?
A: Broderbund is best known for its educational and entertainment software, including *The Print Shop*, *Kid Pix*, and the *Carmen Sandiego* series.

### Q: Who founded Broderbund?
A: Broderbund was founded by Doug Carlston in 1980.

### Q: When did Broderbund cease operations?
A: Broderbund was acquired by The Learning Company in 1998 and dissolved as an independent entity.

### Q: What were some of Broderbund's most popular products?
A: Popular products included *The Print Shop*, *Kid Pix*, *Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?*, and *Living Books*.

### Q: Where was Broderbund headquartered?
A: Broderbund was headquartered in Novato, California, with earlier locations in Eugene, Oregon, and San Rafael, California.

## Why It Matters
Broderbund played a significant role in the early software and video game industries, particularly in educational and creative software. Its products like *The Print Shop* and *Kid Pix* were widely used in schools and homes, making computing more accessible and engaging for users of all ages. The company's innovative approach to interactive learning and entertainment helped shape the software landscape of the 1980s and 1990s. Broderbund's legacy continues through its influential titles, which remain nostalgic favorites and have inspired modern educational software.

## Notable For
- Pioneering educational software with titles like *Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?* and *Living Books*.
- Developing *The Print Shop*, one of the first widely popular desktop publishing tools for home users.
- Creating *Kid Pix*, an early graphics program designed for children.
- Being one of the first software companies to go public, listing on Nasdaq in 1991.
- Acquiring and integrating other software companies, such as Banner Blue Software and PC Globe.

## Body
### History and Founding
Broderbund was founded in 1980 by Doug Carlston in Eugene, Oregon. The company initially focused on developing software for personal computers, which were becoming increasingly popular in homes and schools. In 1982, Broderbund relocated its headquarters to San Rafael, California, and later to Novato, California.

### Key Products
Broderbund developed a range of software products, including:
- *The Print Shop* (1984): A desktop publishing tool that allowed users to create newsletters, banners, and signs.
- *Kid Pix* (1991): A graphics program designed for children, which became a staple in elementary schools.
- *Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?* (1985): An educational game that taught geography and history through an interactive detective story.
- *Living Books* (1993): A series of interactive storybooks for children, developed in collaboration with Random House.
- *The Last Express* (1997): A critically acclaimed adventure game set on the Orient Express.

### Financial and Corporate Milestones
Broderbund went public in 1991, listing on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker symbol BROD. The company's revenue grew significantly throughout the 1990s, peaking at $172 million in fiscal year 1995. In 1998, Broderbund was acquired by The Learning Company, a leading educational software company, and ceased operations as an independent entity.

### Acquisitions and Subsidiaries
Broderbund acquired several companies during its operation, including:
- Banner Blue Software (1995): A developer of educational and entertainment software.
- PC Globe (1992): A company specializing in digital mapping software.
- Red Orb Entertainment (1997): A subsidiary focused on developing and publishing video games.

### Legacy
Broderbund's products had a lasting impact on the software industry, particularly in the fields of education and creative software. Many of its titles, such as *The Print Shop* and *Kid Pix*, remain iconic and are remembered fondly by users who grew up with them. The company's innovative approach to interactive learning and entertainment continues to influence modern educational software.

## Schema Markup
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## References

1. Brøderbund Software, Inc.. MobyGames
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3. Thomson Reuters Open Perm ID
4. Crunchbase
5. LastDodo
6. BoardGameGeek
7. National Software Reference Library
8. [Open Library](https://openlibrary.org/publishers/Broderbund.com)
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10. [Preserving the Brøderbund Story. The National Museum of Play. 2014](https://www.museumofplay.org/2014/03/04/preserving-the-broderbund-story/)
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17. [Source](https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=812490)
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23. [About Broderbund (Software Company)](https://www.solvusoft.com/en/file-extensions/software/broderbund/)
24. Universal Videogame List
25. [Source](https://www.solvusoft.com/en/file-extensions/software/broderbund/)
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28. [Source](https://www.computerhope.com/comp/tlc.htm)
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32. [Source](https://techmonitor.ai/techonology/broderbund_software_to_pay_15m_for_pc_globe_inc)
33. [The Family Business: An Interview with Brøderbund Software founder Doug Carlston. 2019](https://paleotronic.com/2019/08/20/the-family-business-an-interview-with-broderbund-software-founder-doug-carlston/)
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38. [Source](https://carmensandiego.fandom.com/wiki/Brøderbund?oldid=51282)
39. [Source](https://princeofpersia.fandom.com/wiki/Broderbund?oldid=29496)
40. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Broderbund-RGY4W)
41. VideoGameGeek