What is the history of Atari?
Here is a very condensed history of Atari, centered around their 8-bit computers. 1972 Atari Inc. is formed by Nolan Bushnell, incorporated on Tuesday, June 27. Atari created the first coin-operated arcade video game with the introduction of Pong. The video game industry was launched and has shaped pop culture ever since. 1976 Warner Communications acquires Atari Inc. 1977 Atari launches the Video Computer System (VCS), later known as the 2600, giving birth to home video game systems. 1978 In December, Atari announces the Atari 400 and 800 personal computers, using the 6502 microprocessor. 1979 Atari files with the USPTO for a patent for a “Data processing system with programmable graphics generator” (the 400/800 computer system) on January 8, 1979. Inventors listed: Mayer, Steven T. (Auburn, CA); Miner, Jay G. (Sunnyvale, CA); Neubauer, Douglas G. (Santa Clara, CA); Decuir, Joseph C.
Here is a history of Atari with heavy emphasis on the 400/800/XL/XE computers. 1972 June 27: Atari, Incorporated was formed by Nolan K. Bushnell and Ted Dabney, with an initial investment of US$500 (US$250 each.). First location for the company: Santa Clara, California, USA. November 29: Atari delivered PONG, a coin-operated video game unit. 1973 Nolan Bushnell bought out Ted Dabney’s share of Atari, making Bushnell the sole owner. With financial support from Atari, a group of engineers led by Larry Emmons and Steve Mayer created the Cyan Engineering research and development group in Grass Valley, CA. 1974 Winter: Atari started an exclusive relationship with Cyan Engineering, and the facility became known as the “Grass Valley Think Tank.” 1975 Fall: Atari purchased Cyan Engineering outright, and the facility became more formerly known as the Grass Valley Research Center. At Cyan Engineering, Ron Milner and Steve Mayer created the first concept prototype of the home video game syste
