# Compaq

> American information technology company

**Wikidata**: [Q324603](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q324603)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compaq)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/compaq

## Summary
Compaq was an American information technology company founded in 1982 that became a major manufacturer of personal computers and a pioneer in the PC industry. It was notable for producing the first IBM-compatible portable computer and later became a key player in enterprise computing before being acquired by Hewlett-Packard in 2002.

## Key Facts
- **Founded:** February 16, 1982
- **Dissolved:** May 7, 2002, upon acquisition by Hewlett-Packard
- **Founders:** Rod Canion, Jim Harris, and Bill Murto
- **Headquarters:** Originally in Houston, Texas, United States
- **Industry:** Information technology, computer hardware, and software
- **Notable Products:** Compaq Portable, Compaq Portable 386, ProLiant servers
- **Predecessor:** Rosemary Rogers (founder of parent company)
- **Replaced by:** Hewlett-Packard after acquisition
- **Replaces:** Rosemary Rogers' earlier ventures
- **Owned by:** Hewlett-Packard (acquired in 2002)
- **Parent Organization:** Hewlett-Packard (post-acquisition)
- **Affiliated with:** X.Org Foundation members like Keith Packard
- **Contains/Subsidiaries:** ProLiant server line
- **Preceded/Succeeded by:** Digital Equipment Corporation (acquisition and integration)
- **Created/Developed by:** Rod Canion, Jim Harris, Bill Murto
- **Located in/Origin:** United States
- **Related to:** Hewlett-Packard, Digital Equipment Corporation, IBM
- **Key People:** Rod Canion (co-founder), Jim Harris (co-founder), Bill Murto (co-founder)
- **Owned/Operated by:** Hewlett-Packard (post-2002)
- **Affiliated with:** Jeff Dean (worked at Compaq before Google)

## FAQs
### What was Compaq Computer Corporation?
Compaq Computer Corporation was an American information technology company that specialized in manufacturing personal computers and servers. It was founded in 1982 by Rod Canion, Jim Harris, and Bill Murto and became one of the first companies to successfully clone IBM's PC architecture.

### What were Compaq's most notable products?
Compaq was known for the Compaq Portable, the first successful IBM PC compatible portable computer, and the Compaq Portable 386. It also developed the ProLiant line of servers, which continued under Hewlett-Packard after the acquisition.

### What happened to Compaq?
Compaq was acquired by Hewlett-Packard on May 7, 2002, and ceased to exist as an independent entity. Its assets, including the ProLiant server line, were integrated into HP's operations.

### Who founded Compaq and when?
Compaq was founded on February 16, 1982, by Rod Canion, Jim Harris, and Bill Murto, former employees of Texas Instruments.

### What is Compaq known for in the tech industry?
Compaq is known for producing the first IBM-compatible portable computer, the Compaq Portable, and for being a major competitor in the PC market during the 1980s and 1990s. It also played a role in enterprise computing with its server lines.

### What is the relationship between Compaq and Hewlett-Packard?
Hewlett-Packard acquired Compaq in 2002, integrating its assets and operations. The acquisition was part of HP's strategy to expand its presence in the PC and server markets.

### What is Compaq's legacy in computing?
Compaq's legacy includes pioneering the IBM PC compatible portable computer, contributing to the standardization of PC hardware, and developing enterprise-grade servers. Its innovations laid the groundwork for modern computing hardware and influenced the direction of the PC industry.

## Why It Matters
Compaq was instrumental in the development of the personal computer industry, particularly in making IBM-compatible portable computers accessible to businesses and consumers. It challenged IBM's dominance in the PC market and helped establish standards for PC hardware. The company's innovations in portable and server computing laid the foundation for modern enterprise IT infrastructure. Its acquisition by Hewlett-Packard marked a significant consolidation in the tech industry, influencing the direction of PC and server development for years to come.

## Notable For
- **First successful IBM PC compatible portable computer:** The Compaq Portable was the first to fully clone IBM's PC architecture, establishing Compaq as a major player in the PC market.
- **Innovative marketing and design:** Compaq's early success was driven by its ability to reverse-engineer IBM's PC BIOS, allowing it to produce compatible systems without infringing on IBM's intellectual property.
- **Enterprise computing solutions:** Compaq developed the ProLiant server line, which became a cornerstone of enterprise computing and continued under Hewlett-Packard after the acquisition.
- **Industry leadership:** Compaq was a major force in the 1980s and 1990s PC market, competing directly with IBM and other major tech companies.
- **Pioneering reverse-engineering techniques:** The company's ability to clone IBM's PC BIOS set a precedent for PC compatibility and innovation in the industry.

## Body
### History
Compaq was founded on February 16, 1982, by Rod Canion, Jim Harris, and Bill Murto, who had previously worked together at Texas Instruments. The company was incorporated in the state of Delaware and quickly established itself as a major player in the PC industry. It was notable for producing the first successful IBM PC compatible portable computer, the Compaq Portable, which was released in 1983. This achievement positioned Compaq as a leader in the PC clone market and demonstrated the company's ability to innovate within the constraints of IBM's architecture.

### Founding and Early Success
The company was founded by three former Texas Instruments employees who saw an opportunity in the growing PC market. Their first product, the Compaq Portable, was a direct result of reverse-engineering IBM's PC BIOS, which allowed them to create a fully compatible system. This innovation was critical in establishing Compaq's reputation for producing high-quality, IBM-compatible computers that businesses could trust.

### Products and Innovation
Compaq's product line expanded rapidly to include desktop computers, portable systems, and servers. The Compaq Portable 386 was a significant product, as was the ProLiant line of servers, which became a cornerstone of enterprise computing. These products were known for their reliability and performance, contributing to Compaq's dominance in the PC market during the 1980s and 1990s.

### Acquisition by Hewlett-Packard
In 2002, Compaq was acquired by Hewlett-Packard in a deal valued at $25 billion. This acquisition was part of a larger strategy by HP to expand its presence in the PC and server markets. The merger led to the dissolution of Compaq as an independent entity, with its assets and operations integrated into HP's business. The ProLiant server line, for example, continued under HP's management and is still a significant part of enterprise computing infrastructure.

### Legacy and Impact
Compaq's impact on the PC industry was profound. It challenged IBM's dominance by producing the first successful IBM PC compatible portable computer, the Compaq Portable. This move helped standardize PC hardware and software compatibility, influencing the direction of the industry. Compaq's innovations in server computing, particularly the ProLiant line, also had a lasting impact on enterprise IT infrastructure.

### Key People and Leadership
Rod Canion, one of Compaq's founders, played a significant role in the company's early success. He was instrumental in the development of the Compaq Portable and other key products. After the acquisition by HP, many of Compaq's assets and employees were integrated into HP's operations, contributing to the company's growth in the PC and server markets.

### Industry Relationships
Compaq was related to several major technology companies, including Digital Equipment Corporation, which it acquired in 1998. This acquisition was part of Compaq's strategy to expand its presence in the enterprise computing market. The company was also a major competitor to IBM in the PC market, challenging the tech giant's dominance and contributing to the standardization of PC hardware and software.

### Technology and Development
Compaq's development of the ProLiant server line was a significant achievement in enterprise computing. The servers were known for their reliability and performance, and the line continued under HP's management after the acquisition. Compaq's work in server technology laid the groundwork for modern enterprise IT infrastructure.

### Community and Ecosystem
Compaq was part of a broader ecosystem of PC and server manufacturers, including IBM, Hewlett-Packard, and Digital Equipment Corporation. The company's products were used by businesses and consumers worldwide, and its innovations influenced the direction of the PC industry. Compaq's contributions to the industry included the development of IBM-compatible systems and the establishment of standards for PC hardware and software compatibility.

### Related Projects and Technologies
Compaq's development of the ProLiant server line was a significant achievement in enterprise computing. The servers were known for their reliability and performance, and the line continued under HP's management after the acquisition. Compaq's work in server technology laid the groundwork for modern enterprise IT infrastructure.

### X.Org Foundation and Open Source Contributions
Keith Packard, a member of the X.Org Foundation, worked at Compaq and contributed to the development of open-source software and computer graphics. His work helped maintain and improve the X Window System, which is fundamental to graphical user interfaces on Unix-like operating systems.

### Visual and Cultural Impact
Compaq's branding and marketing were notable for their focus on innovation and compatibility. The company's products were known for their quality and reliability, and its innovations influenced the direction of the PC industry. Compaq's contributions to the industry included the development of IBM-compatible systems and the establishment of standards for PC hardware and software compatibility.

### Integration with Hewlett-Packard
After the acquisition, Compaq's assets and operations were integrated into Hewlett-Packard's business. The ProLiant server line, for example, continued under HP's management and is still a significant part of enterprise computing infrastructure. This integration was part of a larger trend in the tech industry, where major players consolidated to expand their presence in the PC and server markets.

### Conclusion
Compaq's legacy includes its pioneering work in the PC industry, particularly in producing the first successful IBM PC compatible portable computer. The company's innovations in server computing, particularly the ProLiant line, had a lasting impact on enterprise IT infrastructure. After the acquisition by Hewlett-Packard, Compaq's assets and operations were integrated into HP's business, contributing to the company's growth in the PC and server markets.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. National Software Reference Library
3. [Source](http://www.linux-usb.org/usb.ids)
4. [Source](https://www.iana.org/assignments/enterprise-numbers/enterprise-numbers)
5. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Compaq-93GM)
6. KBpedia
7. YouTube API