The Learning Company

The Learning Company (TLC) was an educational software founded in 1980 in Palo Alto, CA. The company produced a grade-based system of learning software, edutainment games, and productivity tools. Its titles included Reader Rabbit, for preschoolers through second graders, and The ClueFinders, for more advanced students. The company was also known for publishing licensed educational titles featuring characters such as Arthur, Scooby-Doo, Zoboomafoo, and Caillou.

This article is about the company founded in 1980. For the company that acquired it in 1995, see The Learning Company (formerly SoftKey).
The Learning Company
FateAcquired by SoftKey in hostile takeover
Founded1980 (1980) (as The Learning Co.)
Palo Alto, California, U.S.
FoundersAnn McCormick
Leslie Grimm
Teri Perl
Defunct2018
Headquarters
Boston, Massachusetts
,
U.S.
Key people
Warren Robinett (co-founder)
ProductsEducational games
Websitelearningcompany.com

In 1995, the company was acquired by Softkey in a hostile takeover bid, at which point SoftKey began using the Learning Company name and brand. After the merger, a large percentage of the staff were let go. The Learning Company brand was later acquired and used by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt until 2018.

History

The Learning Company was founded in 1980 by Ann McCormick; Leslie Grimm; Teri Perl; and Warren Robinett, a former Atari employee who had programmed the popular game Adventure. They saw the Apple II as an opportunity to teach young children concepts of math, reading, science, problem-solving, and thinking skills. Part of the original funding for the company came from a National Science Foundation grant.

TLC produced launch titles for the PCjr, announced in late 1983.[1] From 1980 through 1984, it created a line of 15 widely acclaimed children's educational software products, which were sold through the U.S. retail and school computer software channels.

In the first half of 1985, the board hired as CEO Bill Dinsmore. Shortly thereafter, Reece Duca, a founding Partner of the Investment Group of Santa Barbara (IGSB), became a member of the Board of Directors and purchased shares from several founders and original venture firms. In late 1986, Duca was elected Chairman of the Board. At that time, IGSB became The Learning Company's largest shareholder.

Between 1985 and 1995, TLC's revenues grew at a 36% compounded rate from $2.4M to $53.2M and profitability increased from breakeven in 1985 to a 20% pre-tax margin. The leading families of products were the Reader Rabbit series for ages 2–8, the Treasure Mountain Reading-Math-Science series for ages 5–9, the Super Solver series for ages 7–12, the Student Writing & Publishing Center for ages 7-adult, and the Foreign Language Learning series for ages 15-adult.

TLC went public on April 28, 1992 in an IPO led by Morgan Stanley and Robertson, Stephens & Co. From 1992 to 1995, TLC achieved 16 consecutive quarters of revenues and profits growth, never experiencing a down quarter or year. TLC's early struggles, followed by 10 consecutive years of outstanding performance, were the subject of case studies at both Harvard and Stanford universities.

Softkey acquisition
Main article: The Learning Company (formerly SoftKey)

On December 8, 1995, TLC was acquired by SoftKey for $606M[2] in a hostile takeover bid, and a large percentage of the staff were let go. After the acquisition was complete, SoftKey changed its name to The Learning Company and continued to use its brand.

Software

Reader Rabbit / The ClueFinders series

Zoombinis

Super Solvers series

Starflyers series
  • Royal Jewel Rescue (2002)
  • Alien Space Chase (2002)

Super Seekers games

Fisher-Price series
  • Fisher-Price: Dream Dollhouse (1995)
  • Fisher-Price: Great Adventures: Castle (1995)
  • Fisher-Price: Great Adventures: Pirate Ship (1996)
  • Fisher-Price: Great Adventures: Wild Western Town (1997)
  • Fisher-Price: Big Action Garage (1998)
  • Fisher-Price: Big Action Construction (1998)
  • Fisher-Price: Little People Christmas Activity Center (1998)
  • Fisher-Price: Time to Play Dollhouse (1998)
  • Fisher-Price: Time to Play Pet Shop (1998)
  • Fisher-Price: Outdoor Adventures: Ranger Trail (1999)
  • Fisher-Price: Rescue Heroes: Hurricane Havoc (1999)
  • Fisher-Price: Toddler (1999)
  • Fisher-Price: Preschool (1999)
  • Fisher-Price: Kindergarten (1999)

Pac-Man/Carmen Sandiego series

MindPower series
  • Mind Power Math: Middle School
    • Basic Math
    • Fractions
    • Decimals
    • Geometry
    • Statistics
    • Pre-Algebra
    • Algebra
  • Mind Power Math: High School
    • Math Review
    • Algebra 1
    • Statistics
    • Algebra 2
    • Geometry
    • Trigonometry
    • Calculus
  • Mind Power Science Grades 7-12
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Genetics
    • Physics
    • Ecology
    • Light
    • Electricity

Trail series

Other games
  • Explore Yellowstone (1997)[3]
  • Prince of Persia 3D (1999)
  • Soul Fighter (1999)
  • Vlad Tepes Dracula (1997)
  • Real World series
    • Operation Neptune (1991)
      • Note: This game was eventually added to the Super Solvers series.
    • Time Riders in American History
    • Math For The Real World
  • Adventure/puzzle games
  • Achieve! games
    • Achieve! Math & Science: Grades 1-3
    • Achieve! Phonics, Reading & Writing: Grades 1-3
    • Achieve! Math & Science: Grades 3-6
    • Achieve! Writing & Language Arts Grades 3-6
  • Tools and other programs
    • All-Star Typing
    • The American Girls Premiere
    • Read, Write, and Type
    • MetroGnomes' Music
    • The Children's Writing & Publishing Center
    • The Writing Center
    • Student Writing Center
  • PBS Kids series
    • Caillou's Magic Playhouse
    • Caillou's Four Seasons of Fun
    • Caillou's Party Fun and Games
    • Zoboomafoo Animal Alphabet
    • Zoboomafoo Creature Quest
    • Jay Jay the Jet Plane: Jay Jay Earns his Wings
    • Jay Jay the Jet Plane: Sky Heroes to the Rescue
    • Cyberchase: Carnival Chaos
    • Cyberchase: Castleblanca Quest
  • Other early educational programs
    • Magic Spells
    • Bumble Games
    • Bumble Plot
    • Moptown Hotel
    • Moptown Parade
    • Wordspinner
    • Juggles' Rainbow
    • Juggles' House
    • SpongeBob SquarePants Typing
    • Ultimate Children's Encyclopedia

Notes
  1. When The Learning Company purchased Broderbund Software, they gained the rights to the Carmen Sandiego series. Only the Carmen Sandiego games created by The Learning Company are included here.

References
  1. Wiswell, Phil (January 24, 1984). "Coming Soon: Games For The PCjr". PC. pp. 142–145. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  2. "Softkey Reaches Agreement to Buy Learning Company". nytimes.com. 8 December 1995. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  3. http://macintoshgarden.org/apps/explore-yellowstone
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.