Seattle Computer Products
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer hardware |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Headquarters | Tukwila , United States |
| Products | S-100 8086 CPU boards, Seattle DOS |
Seattle Computer Products (SCP), headquartered in Tukwila, Washington, was a pioneering microcomputer hardware firm recognized for producing some of the earliest systems powered by Intel's 16-bit 8086 processor. Established in 1978, SCP launched its first S-100 8086 CPU boards in November 1979, predating IBM’s release of the slower 8088-based Personal Computer featuring an 8-bit ISA bus by nearly two years. Approximately a year before IBM's PC debut, SCP introduced an operating system tailored for this hardware; Microsoft later adapted and rebranded this system as IBM PC DOS. The company’s team included local high school students who assisted with assembly and soldering tasks, several of whom eventually joined Microsoft.
Corporate history
In June 1978, Rodney Maurice Brock brought on board Tim Paterson, then 22 years old. SCP initially concentrated on producing memory boards but shifted focus when Paterson proposed creating a CPU board leveraging Intel’s newly released 8086 processor. By May 1979, Paterson had developed a functional prototype and formed a partnership with Microsoft, which was concurrently working on an 8086 BASIC interpreter.
When SCP started distributing the CPU board in November 1979, it was accompanied by standalone Microsoft BASIC software; however, no operating system was yet available. Due to delays with Digital Research's CP/M-86, a market void emerged that Paterson addressed by designing QDOS (Quick and Dirty Operating System) within four months from April 1980. Version 0.11 of QDOS was finalized in August and began shipping in September; the OS was rebranded as 86-DOS in December.
In December 1980, Microsoft acquired the rights to distribute 86-DOS to other hardware manufacturers for $25,000 and secured full ownership for an additional $50,000 in July 1981—just prior to the IBM PC launch—while granting SCP a perpetual royalty-free license to bundle 86-DOS with its own products. SCP utilized this license to market "Seattle DOS," packaged alongside an affordable standalone CPU.
The agreement with Microsoft infused SCP with capital that enabled expansion from memory products into PC-compatible offerings. By 1982, SCP recorded sales exceeding $4 million and profits over $1 million.
Facing intense competition from low-cost foreign manufacturers by 1985, SCP encountered financial difficulties. Brock attempted to sell the company along with the valuable Microsoft license for 86-DOS, targeting buyers such as Tandy Corporation. Microsoft challenged this transfer as unauthorized and initiated litigation seeking $60 million in damages. The dispute concluded with an out-of-court settlement whereby Microsoft compensated SCP $925,000 and reacquired the DOS license.
As IBM-compatible PCs became the industry standard and Intel 8086-based systems declined, SCP ceased operations during the late 1980s.
See also
- Microsoft Softcard (SCP developed Z80 card prototypes for Apple II; these were later manufactured by Burtronix and California Computer Systems on behalf of Microsoft)
- Pirates of Silicon Valley includes a scene depicting Paul Allen visiting Rod Brock at Seattle Computer Products.
External links
- Articles with short description
- Defunct software companies of the United States
- Defunct computer companies of the United States
- Defunct computer hardware companies
- Defunct computer systems companies
- Defunct companies based in Seattle
- 1978 establishments in Washington (state)
- 1980s disestablishments in Washington (state)
- Companies based in Tukwila, Washington
- Computer companies established in 1978