D
D_tunisia
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From the Primordial Sludge A Newell Is Born
For 13 years, until 1996, Gabe Newell worked as a plumber at the Microsoft corporation; during this time he managed to pick up bits of programming knowledge by looking over the shoulders of Windows developers, when he should have been installing copper pipe.
By the time he left the company in 1996 he could program software as adequately as most Microsoft professionals. Realising the potential earnings with his newly aquired skills he took it upon himself to bribe Microsoft for several million dollars to ensure that he would not release the Windows source code.
Later, in 1996, Gabe got together with a friend from Microsoft, Mike Harrington; Mike had been a Soup Machine attendant at Microsoft and the two employees had often crossed paths.
It was during his mother-in-laws funeral that, using the money bribed from Microsoft, Gabe and Mike signed the papers to setup the company we know today as Valve. The name of the company was derived from Gabe’s previous job as a plumber – later on they would name their software distribution application “Steam”, another throw back to Microsoft.
According to Mike, “The vending machines you see in Half-Life are of the same type I used to service at Microsoft.” Interesting stuff I’m sure you will agree.
And so Valve was born.
Part Two, "Valve Produces Gordon", coming soon!
For 13 years, until 1996, Gabe Newell worked as a plumber at the Microsoft corporation; during this time he managed to pick up bits of programming knowledge by looking over the shoulders of Windows developers, when he should have been installing copper pipe.
By the time he left the company in 1996 he could program software as adequately as most Microsoft professionals. Realising the potential earnings with his newly aquired skills he took it upon himself to bribe Microsoft for several million dollars to ensure that he would not release the Windows source code.
Later, in 1996, Gabe got together with a friend from Microsoft, Mike Harrington; Mike had been a Soup Machine attendant at Microsoft and the two employees had often crossed paths.
It was during his mother-in-laws funeral that, using the money bribed from Microsoft, Gabe and Mike signed the papers to setup the company we know today as Valve. The name of the company was derived from Gabe’s previous job as a plumber – later on they would name their software distribution application “Steam”, another throw back to Microsoft.
According to Mike, “The vending machines you see in Half-Life are of the same type I used to service at Microsoft.” Interesting stuff I’m sure you will agree.
And so Valve was born.
Part Two, "Valve Produces Gordon", coming soon!
