Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation
The year 1982 marked a turning point in global technology when Japan announced its Fifth Generation Project. This ambitious initiative aimed to produce entirely new types of computers by the end of the decade. American and European computer manufacturers viewed this Japanese effort as a direct threat to their dominance in high-end computing markets. They feared losing control over the future direction of international technology standards. The United States government had not previously allowed industrial research consortia of this scale due to antitrust laws. Several major semiconductor companies banded together to form a defensive alliance against this foreign competition. Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation emerged from these urgent strategic concerns. It stood as the first large-scale computer industry research consortium established within the United States.
Admiral Bobby Ray Inman led the newly formed organization with his background as Director of the National Security Agency. His previous role as Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency brought significant security expertise to the project. The group considered several potential locations including Atlanta, Georgia and Stanford University before settling on Austin, Texas. The University of Texas offered land for a dedicated building on their campus. Ross Perot provided a private plane for two years to assist with staff recruitment efforts. Austin was officially selected as the headquarters site during 1983. Despite Inman's intelligence background, the corporation accepted no government funding for many years. Some employees found refuge there while avoiding work on Strategic Defense Initiative projects.
Six primary areas defined the research scope throughout the 1980s boom period. System Architecture and Design teams optimized hardware and software design for scalability. Advanced Microelectronics Packaging and Interconnection groups worked toward smaller, faster, more powerful components. Hardware Systems Engineering developed tools for cost-efficient electronic system design. Environmentally Conscious Technologies created process control tools for waste minimization. Distributed Information Technology managed physically distributed corporate information resources across different platforms. Intelligent Systems supported business processes through decision support and data management capabilities. MCC became reportedly the single largest customer of both Symbolics and Lisp Machines, Inc. The organization registered one of the first .com domain names in existence. Major programs included packaging, software engineering, CAD, and advanced computer architectures.
Many early shareholder companies were mainframe computer firms facing significant stress during the 1980s economic climate. Over time membership diversified to include a broad range of high-profile corporations involved in information technology products. Government research and development agencies joined alongside leading universities as new partners. The consortium evolved from a defensive alliance into a diverse group of IT corporations. This shift reflected changing market conditions and technological priorities over the years. Members sought to maintain competitiveness while adapting to rapid industry changes. The structure allowed flexibility for different types of organizations to participate effectively. Business needs drove the transformation away from initial crisis-driven formation goals.
The MCC Board of Directors voted to dissolve operations in June 2000 after nearly two decades of activity. A small group of remaining employees held a wake at Scholz's Beer Garden in Austin on October 25. Formal dissolution papers were not filed until 2004 according to available records. Technology transfers continued to member companies and government agencies during these final years. The organization ceased active operations but maintained legal existence through administrative processes. Staff members gathered one last time before official closure procedures began. The timeline stretched from the board vote to final paperwork completion across four years.
Fourteen companies spun out of MCC commercialized technologies originally developed within the consortium. TeraVicta Technologies became Austin's first MEMS company focusing on microscopic switch technology. Robert Miracky served as founding CEO while researchers Brent Lunceford and Jason Reed contributed key innovations. Portelligent provided reverse engineering teardown services that later became standard industry practice. Evolutionary Technologies International developed database tools and data warehousing solutions starting in 1990. TeraVicta eventually liquidated under Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings in 2015. Modern teardown reports now provide detailed information about products like iPhone and Samsung Galaxy smartphones. The Austin region subsequently built up a MEMS value chain worth billions of dollars including companies such as 3M and Cypress Semiconductor.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
What was the Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation?
The Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation emerged as the first large-scale computer industry research consortium established within the United States. It formed in 1982 to counter Japan's Fifth Generation Project and protect American dominance in high-end computing markets.
Where did the Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation locate its headquarters?
Austin, Texas became the official headquarters site for the Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation during 1983. The University of Texas provided land for a dedicated building on their campus after the group considered Atlanta, Georgia and Stanford University.
Who led the Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation?
Admiral Bobby Ray Inman led the newly formed organization with his background as Director of the National Security Agency. His previous role as Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency brought significant security expertise to the project.
When did the Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation dissolve operations?
The MCC Board of Directors voted to dissolve operations in June 2000 after nearly two decades of activity. Formal dissolution papers were not filed until 2004 according to available records.
How many companies spun out from the Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation?
Fourteen companies spun out of the consortium to commercialize technologies originally developed within the organization. TeraVicta Technologies became Austin's first MEMS company while Portelligent provided reverse engineering teardown services that later became standard industry practice.
All sources
6 references cited across the entry
- 1bookThe Almanac of American Politics 1988Michael Barone et al. — 1987
- 2newsFinal bell ringing for MCCStacey Higginbotham — Oct 31, 2004
- 3bookEighteenth International Conference on Thermoelectrics. Proceedings, ICT'99 (Cat. No.99TH8407)C. Hilbert et al. — August 1999
- 4webCompany Overview of TeraVicta Technologies, Inc.Bloomberg
- 5press releaseCMP Acquires Portelligent, the Leading Provider of Teardown Analysis to the Global Electronics IndustryCMS Technology — November 12, 2007
- 6webCompany Overview of Portelligent, Inc.Bloomberg