# The Learning Company

> American educational software company

**Wikidata**: [Q1045344](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1045344)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Learning_Company)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-learning-company

## Summary
The Learning Company (TLC) was an American educational software company founded in 1980, specializing in video game development for personal computers. It was acquired by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and dissolved in 2018, with its subsidiaries later being absorbed into other entities.

## Key Facts
- **Founded**: 1980 in the United States
- **Industry**: Video game industry (educational software)
- **Parent Organization**: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
- **Subsidiary**: Broderbund (operated from 1998 to 1999)
- **Headquarters**: Cedar Rapids, Iowa (primary) and San Francisco, California
- **Dissolved**: 2018
- **Aliases**: TLC, SoftKey International, Mattel Interactive
- **Products**: Video games, including educational titles
- **Website**: [learningcompany.com](http://www.learningcompany.com)

## FAQs
### Q: What was The Learning Company known for?
A: The Learning Company was known for developing educational video games for personal computers, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s.

### Q: Who owned The Learning Company?
A: The Learning Company was owned by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, a major educational publishing company.

### Q: When did The Learning Company dissolve?
A: The Learning Company dissolved in 2018, with its subsidiaries later being absorbed into other entities.

### Q: What was Broderbund’s relationship to The Learning Company?
A: Broderbund was a subsidiary of The Learning Company from 1998 to 1999, before being acquired by Mattel.

### Q: What types of games did The Learning Company produce?
A: The Learning Company primarily produced educational video games, targeting personal computer users.

## Why It Matters
The Learning Company played a significant role in the early days of educational software and video games for personal computers. Its dissolution marked the end of an era in which educational gaming was a distinct market segment. The company’s legacy lives on through its subsidiaries, such as Broderbund, which continued to innovate in the video game industry. The Learning Company’s work laid the groundwork for modern educational gaming and interactive learning tools.

## Notable For
- **Educational Gaming Pioneer**: One of the first companies to specialize in educational video games for personal computers.
- **Subsidiary Acquisition**: Broderbund, a notable video game developer, was a subsidiary from 1998 to 1999.
- **Industry Transition**: The company’s dissolution in 2018 reflected broader shifts in the educational software market.
- **Legacy in Gaming**: Its products influenced the development of interactive learning tools and educational gaming.

## Body
### Origins and Founding
The Learning Company was established in 1980, specializing in educational software and video game development. It was part of the broader video game industry, focusing on creating interactive learning experiences for personal computers.

### Key Subsidiaries
Broderbund, an American software company, was a subsidiary of The Learning Company from 1998 to 1999. Broderbund was known for its video game development and was later acquired by Mattel.

### Ownership and Dissolution
The Learning Company was owned by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, a major educational publishing company. The company dissolved in 2018, with its subsidiaries being absorbed into other entities.

### Products and Impact
The Learning Company produced educational video games, contributing to the early development of interactive learning tools. Its work influenced the broader field of educational gaming and software.

### Legacy
The Learning Company’s legacy includes its role in pioneering educational gaming and its subsidiaries’ continued impact on the video game industry. Its dissolution marked the end of an era in educational software.

## References

1. LastDodo
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. MobyGames
4. [Source](https://www.computerhope.com/comp/tlc.htm)
5. MusicBrainz
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)
8. Quora
9. VideoGameGeek