Linkabit
Linkabit was a technology company founded in 1968 by Irwin M. Jacobs, Andrew Viterbi and Leonard Kleinrock. Linkabit and alumni have created a large number of technology companies, most notably, Qualcomm. Linkabit is currently a division of L-3 Communications.[1]
Corporate history
Linkabit Corporation was formed in mid-1968 in Los Angeles by Irwin M. Jacobs, Andrew Viterbi and Leonard Kleinrock (who soon left). [2]
One of the better known Linkabit products is VideoCipher, an analog scrambling system for television developed in 1983.
Linkabit hosted the first IETF meeting in January, 1986.[3]
More than 75 direct or indirect Linkabit spinoff companies have been identified — a rate twice that of Fairchild Semiconductor, the legendary progenitor of Silicon Valley. [4]
The best known Linkabit spinoff is Qualcomm, which was founded by Jacobs, Viterbi and five other Linkabit alumni in July 1985.[2]
All three Linkabit founders have received National Medals for lifetime achievements. [5]
