Digital Research was founded by Gary Kildall in 1976. Kildall was a computer scientist and entrepreneur who made significant contributions to the early development of the personal computer industry. He is best known for creating the CP/M operating system, which was one of the first widely used operating systems for microcomputers. Digital Research played a crucial role in the history of computing, as its operating systems were used on a wide range of personal computers in the 1970s and 1980s. CP/M was particularly popular on early microcomputers such as the Altair 8800 and the IMSAI 8080. In fact, CP/M was so widely used that it became the basis for the first version of the DOS operating system developed by Microsoft. Despite its early success, Digital Research faced challenges in the 1980s as the personal computer industry evolved. Microsoft's DOS operating system eventually surpassed CP/M in popularity, and Digital Research struggled to keep up with the competition. In 1991, the company was acquired by Novell, and its assets were eventually sold to Caldera Systems in 1996. Today, Digital Research is remembered for its pioneering work in the field of operating systems and its role in the early development of the personal computer industry. Gary Kildall's contributions to computing have had a lasting impact on the technology we use today. For more information on the history of Digital Research and Gary Kildall, you can visit the Computer History Museum's website at computerhistory.org. The museum has a wealth of resources on the early days of computing, including exhibits on Digital Research and other key players in the industry. In conclusion, Digital Research was founded by Gary Kildall in 1976 and played a significant role in the history of computing. Despite facing challenges in the 1980s, the company's contributions to the development of operating systems for microcomputers have left a lasting legacy in the technology industry.

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