For Microsoft, 1987 brings the announcement of Excel for Windows, we ship our first CD-ROM application and Microsoft announces the "New Mouse" which is nicknamed the "Dove Soap Bar".

Previous Episodes:

The History of Microsoft - 1975

The History of Microsoft - 1976

The History of Microsoft - 1977

The History of Microsoft - 1978

The History of Microsoft - 1979

The History of Microsoft - 1980

The History of Microsoft - 1981

The History of Microsoft - 1982

The History of Microsoft - 1983

The History of Microsoft - 1984

The History of Microsoft - 1985

The History of Microsoft - 1986

1987 Revenue/Headcount

The 1987 fiscal year-end sales total $345,890,000. The 1987 fiscal Year employee headcount totals 1,816 people.

Official Subsidiary Launched: Microsoft MS Iberica S.R.L. (Spain)

February 26, 1987

A total redesign of corporate materials is introduced. Spearheading the new corporate identity is a new logo, "Pacman Logo," earmarked by its simplicity, and a clean, uncluttered design. Says designer Scott Baker, "The former logo ( the 'Blibbet' ( was more

in keeping with how we saw our company five years ago." The new logo, in Helvetica italic typeface, has a slash between the "o" and "s" to emphasize the "soft" part of the name and convey motion and speed.

April 2, 1987

Microsoft and IBM announce OS/2. This is the first product to be announced as a result of the Joint Development Agreement between Microsoft and IBM in August 1985.

May 1, 1987

Bill Gates throws the first pitch to start the Seattle Mariners baseball game.

June 26, 1987

In honor of the birthday of Buck Ferguson, Director of Investor Relations, a 300-lb., 16-foot duck appears in "Lake Bill." This is part of a running gag about Buck's concern over too many ducks in the pond.

July 30, 1987

Microsoft acquires Forethought, the developer of PowerPoint, a leading desktop presentation appli