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Compaq’s Rod Canion broke IBM's hold on the PC market
Compaq’s Rod Canion broke Big Blue’s hold on the PC market—and changed computing forever
When IBM tried to reclaim control of the PC market with proprietary technology, Compaq CEO Rod Canion decided to create an open standard and share it with competitors—effectively giving away "the company jewels" to preserve innovation. But Don Estridge, the creator of the PC, believed that the best way for IBM to succeed in the home and small business market was to make a machine that used common industry parts and acted as a standard platform. Humble and soft-spoken, with a gentle Texas lilt, Canion’s relaxed attitude concealed a quick mind that contrasted with the brash and flamboyant personalities that dominated senior management at most technology firms at the time.
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