Microsoft has a long history that is both impressive and inspiring. The company got its start in the 1970s and basically took over the world in the 1990s. The company has maintained its own story and brand presence right alongside the rise of the PC. Today, Microsoft is a multinational technology company that is headquartered in Redmond, Washington.
Let’s check out six fun facts about Microsoft that you probably had no idea about!
1. Microsoft is one of the top patent holders in the U.S.
When it comes to patents, Microsoft holds some of the most. They are in the top five companies for patents, filing around 3,000 each year and holding over 10,000. Most of their patents are software related, but one was for Xbox 360 games that let players watch games remotely. Another was for Microsoft Surface.
2. Pizza is the favorite food at Microsoft campus.
Microsoft offers free beverages and candies to its staffers. With dozens of cafeterias, more than 35,000 people are served each day. Pizza is the top pick of food, though the cafes have no shortage of food options. Most have been revamped over the years to provide a wide selection of foods – Italian, Mexican, Chinese – and there are plenty of healthy options as well.
3. Microsoft loves candy.
There’s a reason why Microsoft gives out free candies to its staffers: candy is part of its in-house tradition. Each employee has to bring in a pound of M&Ms on their yearly anniversary. This means that if a person works there for 10 years, they bring in 10 pounds of M&Ms. It’s a fun tradition and one that surely demonstrates people’s length of employment.
4. The Microsoft campus is booming with bunnies.
The story goes like this. One day, someone dumped a bunch of bunnies off on the campus – probably bunnies that were no longer wanted after Easter – and one thing led to another. In fact, The Redmond Rabbit Problem was something that affected Nintendo, Eddie Bauer and other local campuses. Today, the Microsoft campus is still home to many lucky rabbits.
5. Bill Gates and Steve Jobs were once friends.
Today, there is a rivalry between Microsoft and Apple products. But there was a time when the two were one. Microsoft and Apple worked together for years on developing software for the Macintosh computer. Then, Microsoft announced Windows, which started a rivalry between Gates and Jobs.
6. More employees are male than female.
The male to female ratio is high at Microsoft. The company is working harder to employ more females, and reported in 2014 that 29 percent of its employees were female. Microsoft admits that it has more work to do, though their numbers are right in line with similar companies like Google and Apple.
Are you surprised by any of these? After being in business for over four decades, any corporation is bound to have some fun stories to share!