# Silicon Graphics > former American company **Wikidata**: [Q623459](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q623459) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon_Graphics) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/silicon-graphics ## Summary Silicon Graphics (SGI) was a pioneering American technology company founded in 1981 that specialized in high-performance computing, advanced graphics workstations, and visualization systems. Known for its innovative hardware and software solutions, SGI played a crucial role in the development of computer graphics, scientific computing, and digital media, particularly in industries like film production, scientific research, and engineering. The company was dissolved in 2009 but left a lasting legacy in computing and graphics technology. ## Key Facts - **Founded:** November 9, 1981 - **Dissolved:** May 2009 - **Headquarters:** Sunnyvale, California, United States - **Founders:** James H. Clark, Kurt Akeley, David J. Brown, Kai-Fu Lee, Jaron Lanier, Brian Paul, Dominic Giampaolo, Jonathan Bowen, Larry Kaplan, Ben Horowitz - **Industry:** Computer hardware and software, high-performance computing, graphics workstations - **Products:** Workstations (SGI Indigo, SGI Octane, SGI Onyx), supercomputers (SGI Altix), operating systems (IRIX), file systems (XFS), graphics APIs (OpenGL, IRIS GL, GLX) - **Notable Software:** IRIX (operating system), XFS (file system), OpenGL (graphics API), LibTIFF (graphics library) - **Notable People:** James H. Clark (co-founder), Kurt Akeley (computer graphics engineer), David J. Brown (computer scientist), Kai-Fu Lee (AI researcher), Jaron Lanier (computer scientist), Brian Paul (software developer), Dominic Giampaolo (file system developer), Jonathan Bowen (computer scientist), Larry Kaplan (video game designer), Ben Horowitz (businessman) - **Subsidiaries:** SGI Federal (subsidiary) - **Instance Of:** Business, organization, economic entity, juridical person - **Classification:** Legal term or legal concept, field of study, type of organization - **Primary Goal:** Profit and economic profit - **Ownership:** Entrepreneurs - **Components:** Enterprise, economic activity, business sector, property, human capital - **Types:** Union of brick-and-mortar and virtual business models - **Dewey Decimal Classification:** 338.7 - **Library of Congress Authority ID:** sh85018260 (classed under "Trade") - **Model Examples:** Apple Inc., McDonald's ## FAQs ### Q: What was Silicon Graphics known for? A: Silicon Graphics was known for its high-performance computing systems, advanced graphics workstations, and innovative software solutions. The company played a significant role in the development of computer graphics, scientific computing, and digital media, particularly in industries like film production, scientific research, and engineering. ### Q: Who founded Silicon Graphics? A: Silicon Graphics was founded by James H. Clark, Kurt Akeley, David J. Brown, Kai-Fu Lee, Jaron Lanier, Brian Paul, Dominic Giampaolo, Jonathan Bowen, Larry Kaplan, and Ben Horowitz. ### Q: What products did Silicon Graphics develop? A: Silicon Graphics developed a range of products including workstations (SGI Indigo, SGI Octane, SGI Onyx), supercomputers (SGI Altix), operating systems (IRIX), file systems (XFS), and graphics APIs (OpenGL, IRIS GL, GLX). ### Q: What was the significance of Silicon Graphics in the tech industry? A: Silicon Graphics was significant for its contributions to high-performance computing and graphics technology. The company's innovations in computer graphics and visualization systems influenced industries like film production, scientific research, and engineering, setting standards for graphics workstations and advanced computing systems. ### Q: When was Silicon Graphics founded and when did it dissolve? A: Silicon Graphics was founded on November 9, 1981, and dissolved in May 2009. ### Q: What notable software did Silicon Graphics develop? A: Silicon Graphics developed notable software including the IRIX operating system, the XFS file system, the OpenGL graphics API, and the LibTIFF graphics library. ### Q: Who were some notable people associated with Silicon Graphics? A: Notable people associated with Silicon Graphics include James H. Clark (co-founder), Kurt Akeley (computer graphics engineer), David J. Brown (computer scientist), Kai-Fu Lee (AI researcher), Jaron Lanier (computer scientist), Brian Paul (software developer), Dominic Giampaolo (file system developer), Jonathan Bowen (computer scientist), Larry Kaplan (video game designer), and Ben Horowitz (businessman). ### Q: What was the primary goal of Silicon Graphics? A: The primary goal of Silicon Graphics was to generate profit and economic profit through its innovative hardware and software solutions. ### Q: What was the classification of Silicon Graphics? A: Silicon Graphics was classified as a business, organization, economic entity, and juridical person. It was also considered a legal term or legal concept, a field of study, and a type of organization. ### Q: What were the components of Silicon Graphics? A: The components of Silicon Graphics included enterprise, economic activity, business sector, property, and human capital. ### Q: What types of business models did Silicon Graphics employ? A: Silicon Graphics employed both brick-and-mortar and virtual business models. ### Q: What was the Dewey Decimal Classification for Silicon Graphics? A: The Dewey Decimal Classification for Silicon Graphics was 338.7. ### Q: What was the Library of Congress Authority ID for Silicon Graphics? A: The Library of Congress Authority ID for Silicon Graphics was sh85018260, classed under "Trade." ### Q: What were some model examples of businesses similar to Silicon Graphics? A: Model examples of businesses similar to Silicon Graphics include Apple Inc. and McDonald's. ## Why It Matters Silicon Graphics mattered because it was a pioneer in high-performance computing and advanced graphics technology. The company's innovations in computer graphics and visualization systems had a profound impact on industries like film production, scientific research, and engineering. By developing cutting-edge workstations, supercomputers, and software solutions, Silicon Graphics set new standards for graphics performance and computing power. Its contributions to the development of graphics APIs like OpenGL and file systems like XFS have had a lasting influence on the tech industry. The company's legacy continues to be felt in the advancements of modern computing and graphics technology. ## Notable For - **Pioneering Graphics Workstations:** Developed high-performance graphics workstations like SGI Indigo, SGI Octane, and SGI Onyx. - **Innovative Software Solutions:** Created the IRIX operating system, XFS file system, and OpenGL graphics API. - **Influence on Film Production:** Played a significant role in the development of computer graphics for film production. - **Scientific Computing:** Contributed to advancements in scientific computing and visualization systems. - **Notable Founders and Employees:** Founded by influential figures like James H. Clark and employed notable individuals like Kurt Akeley and Jaron Lanier. - **Legacy in Tech Industry:** Left a lasting legacy in the tech industry through its innovations in high-performance computing and graphics technology. ## Body ### History Silicon Graphics was founded on November 9, 1981, by James H. Clark, Kurt Akeley, David J. Brown, Kai-Fu Lee, Jaron Lanier, Brian Paul, Dominic Giampaolo, Jonathan Bowen, Larry Kaplan, and Ben Horowitz. The company was headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, and quickly became a leader in high-performance computing and graphics technology. Silicon Graphics was dissolved in May 2009 but left a significant legacy in the tech industry. ### Products and Innovations Silicon Graphics developed a range of innovative products, including high-performance workstations like the SGI Indigo, SGI Octane, and SGI Onyx. The company also produced supercomputers such as the SGI Altix. In addition to hardware, Silicon Graphics created notable software solutions, including the IRIX operating system, the XFS file system, and the OpenGL graphics API. These products were widely used in industries like film production, scientific research, and engineering. ### Notable Software Silicon Graphics developed several notable software solutions. The IRIX operating system was designed for the company's MIPS-based workstations and servers, providing advanced features for high-performance computing. The XFS file system was a 64-bit journaling file system known for its scalability and performance. The OpenGL graphics API became a standard for cross-platform graphics programming, widely adopted in the tech industry. ### Notable People Silicon Graphics employed and was associated with several notable individuals. James H. Clark, the co-founder, was a prominent entrepreneur and computer scientist. Kurt Akeley, another co-founder, was a computer graphics engineer who made significant contributions to the field. Other notable figures included David J. Brown, Kai-Fu Lee, Jaron Lanier, Brian Paul, Dominic Giampaolo, Jonathan Bowen, Larry Kaplan, and Ben Horowitz. These individuals played crucial roles in the development of the company's innovative products and technologies. ### Industry Impact Silicon Graphics had a significant impact on the tech industry, particularly in the fields of high-performance computing and graphics technology. The company's workstations and supercomputers set new standards for graphics performance and computing power. Its software solutions, such as the IRIX operating system and the OpenGL graphics API, became widely adopted and influenced the development of modern computing and graphics technology. Silicon Graphics' contributions to film production, scientific research, and engineering continue to be felt in these industries today. ### Legacy Despite its dissolution in 2009, Silicon Graphics left a lasting legacy in the tech industry. The company's innovations in high-performance computing and graphics technology continue to influence modern computing systems. Its software solutions, such as the OpenGL graphics API, remain widely used and have become standards in the industry. The contributions of Silicon Graphics' notable founders and employees have had a lasting impact on the development of computer graphics and advanced computing systems. ## References 1. [GRID](https://www.grid.ac/institutes/grid.480389.e) 2. Open ISNI for Organizations 3. Virtual International Authority File 4. MusicBrainz 5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 6. National Software Reference Library 7. [Source](http://www.linux-usb.org/usb.ids) 8. Global LEI Index 9. GRID Release 2017-04-04 10. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions 11. [Source](https://www.iana.org/assignments/enterprise-numbers/enterprise-numbers)