Corporate history of Xerox Corporation, from its founding as Haloid Company to its pioneering innovations and global market presence.
The Haloid Company is founded in Rochester, New York, to manufacture photographic paper and equipment. It would later become Xerox Corporation. #history #business
Chester Carlson successfully creates the first xerographic copy in his laboratory in Astoria, Queens. This invention lays the foundation for the modern photocopier. #innovation #technology
The Haloid Company obtains a license from Battelle Memorial Institute to develop and commercialize xerography technology. This marks the beginning of Xerox's core business. #business #technology
Haloid introduces the Model A, the first xerographic copier, although it is manual and slow. It paves the way for future automated machines. #innovation #history
The company changes its name to Haloid Xerox Inc. to reflect its focus on xerography. This is a step toward the eventual name change to Xerox. #business #history
The Xerox 914, the first automatic plain-paper copier, is introduced. It becomes a massive commercial success, revolutionizing office work and establishing Xerox as a dominant force. #technology #business
Haloid Xerox becomes Xerox Corporation, symbolizing its complete transformation into a copier company. The same year, it goes public on the New York Stock Exchange. #history #business
Xerox enters the Japanese market through a joint venture with Fuji Photo Film, forming Fuji Xerox. The company becomes a major player in Asia. #business #global
Xerox establishes Rank Xerox, a joint venture with the Rank Organisation, to market copiers in Europe and other international markets. This marks global expansion. #business #global
Xerox acquires Scientific Data Systems (SDS) for $1.5 billion to enter the computer business. The acquisition ultimately proves unsuccessful, leading to losses. #acquisition #technology
Xerox founds the Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) to foster innovation in computing and office technologies. PARC becomes legendary for inventions like the GUI, mouse, and Ethernet. #innovation #technology )
Xerox releases the Sigma 9, a mainframe computer from the SDS acquisition. It sees limited success as Xerox struggles in the computer market. #technology #history
Xerox PARC completes the Alto, the first personal computer with a graphical user interface and mouse. It influences future computing but is not commercialized. #innovation #computing
Xerox exits the mainframe computer business by selling off the remnants of SDS, incurring significant losses. The failure leads to a focus on copiers and office equipment. #business #history
Robert Metcalfe and David Boggs at Xerox PARC invent Ethernet, a local area networking technology. It becomes the dominant standard for wired computer networks. #innovation #networking
Apple co-founder Steve Jobs visits Xerox PARC and is shown the Alto and GUI technology. This inspires Apple's Macintosh user interface, though Xerox fails to capitalize on its innovations. #technology #history
Xerox introduces the Star workstation, the first commercial system with a GUI, desktop metaphor, and networked capabilities. It is expensive and fails in the mass market but influences later PCs. #innovation #computing
Fuji Xerox strengthens its position in the Asia-Pacific market, becoming a key player in document management. The joint venture later helps Xerox recover during financial troubles. #global #business
Xerox diversifies into financial services by acquiring the insurance company Crum & Forster. The move is part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on copiers. #acquisition #business
Xerox launches the DocuTech Production Publisher, a digital printing system that integrates scanning, printing, and finishing. It revolutionizes the printing industry. #technology #innovation
David Kearns retires and Paul Allaire takes over as CEO. Under his leadership, Xerox focuses on digital products and services, but faces increasing competition. #leadership #business
Xerox rebrands itself as 'The Document Company' to emphasize its shift from copiers to document management solutions. The tagline appears in marketing and corporate identity. #marketing #business
Xerox buys the color printing and imaging division of Tektronix for $950 million, strengthening its position in the color printer market. #acquisition #technology
Xerox restates its financial results for 1997-2000 due to accounting irregularities, causing its stock to plummet. The SEC later fines Xerox $10 million. #finance #scandal
Anne Mulcahy becomes CEO of Xerox, tasked with turning around the struggling company. She implements a successful restructuring plan, cutting costs and refocusing on core business. #leadership #turnaround
Xerox reaches a settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission over accounting fraud, paying a $10 million fine. The company agrees to refrain from future violations. #finance #legal
Xerox introduces the iGen3 Digital Production Press, a high-speed color digital printer targeting the commercial printing market. It marks a shift toward digital printing. #technology #innovation
Xerox purchases Global Imaging Systems, a distributor of office equipment, to expand its direct sales and service capabilities. #acquisition #business
Ursula Burns succeeds Anne Mulcahy as CEO, becoming the first African-American woman to lead a Fortune 500 company. She continues Xerox's transformation into a business process services firm. #leadership #diversity
Xerox acquires ACS for $6.4 billion to expand into business process outsourcing (BPO) services. This marks a major strategic shift toward services beyond printing. #acquisition #services
Xerox reveals plans to separate into two publicly traded companies: one focused on document technology and the other on BPO services (later named Conduent). #corporate #restructuring
Xerox completes the spinoff of its business process services division as Conduent, Inc. The remaining Xerox focuses solely on document technology and printing. #corporate #spinoff
Xerox and Fujifilm announce a $6.1 billion joint venture merger, but the deal is later terminated after opposition from activist investors. #merger #corporate
John Visentin is appointed CEO of Xerox after a proxy battle with activist investors. He leads a new strategy focusing on innovation and cost cutting. #leadership #corporate
Xerox sells its 25% stake in Fujifilm Business Innovation (formerly Fuji Xerox) to Fujifilm for $2.3 billion, ending a long-standing partnership. #corporate #divestiture
Xerox acquires Altaworx, a managed print services provider, to strengthen its offerings in the small and medium business segment. #acquisition #services
Xerox continues to evolve, emphasizing digital transformation, managed print services, and IT services for enterprises. The company remains a key player in the document technology market. #strategy #technology