Microsoft, one of the largest technology companies in the world, was founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. Since then, it has revolutionized the world of computing and technology, introducing a range of groundbreaking products and services that have made both work and personal life easier for millions of people all over the world. In this article, we’ll be sharing 10 interesting facts about Microsoft that you probably didn’t know.

1. Microsoft’s original name was ‘Micro-Soft,’ which was a combination of the words ‘microcomputer’ and ‘software.’ The hyphen was later removed in 1981.

2. Microsoft was not the first to develop the graphical user interface (GUI) for computers. The honor goes to Xerox PARC, which introduced the concept in the 1970s. However, Microsoft was the first to bring it to the mass market with Windows 1.0 in 1985.

3. Microsoft’s first operating system, called MS-DOS, was not developed in-house. The company purchased it from Seattle Computer Products for $50,000.

4. In the early days, Microsoft was primarily a programming language company. Its first product was a BASIC interpreter for the Altair 8800 computer.

5. Microsoft played a significant role in the development of the internet by creating Internet Explorer, the first popular web browser.

6. Contrary to popular belief, Bill Gates did not invent the computer mouse. The device was first invented by Douglas Engelbart in 1963, while he was working at the Stanford Research Institute.

7. Microsoft has over 131,000 employees working in over 120 countries around the world.

8. The company has a market capitalization of over $2 trillion, making it one of the world’s most valuable companies.

9. Microsoft is one of the largest patent holders in the world, with over 130,000 patents granted or pending.

10. Microsoft’s research division, Microsoft Research, has made significant contributions to fields such as artificial intelligence, computer science, and human-computer interaction. The division is responsible for developing the Microsoft Surface, Kinect, and HoloLens.

In summary, Microsoft has come a long way since its humble beginnings as a small programming language company. It has revolutionized the technology industry, making a significant impact in various fields such as operating systems, web browsing, and gaming. As Microsoft continues to grow and evolve, we can only expect even more innovations and breakthroughs from this pioneering company.