The Learning Company

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 (TLC) was an American educational software company. The company produced a grade-based system of learning software and tools to improve productivity. Products for preschoolers through second graders included Reader Rabbit, and software for more advanced students included The ClueFinders. The company was also known for publishing licensed educational titles featuring characters such as Arthur, Scooby-Doo, Zoboomafoo, and Caillou.

The Learning Company
FateAcquired by SoftKey in hostile takeover
Founded1980; 41 years ago (1980) (as The Learning Co.)
Palo Alto, California, U.S.
FoundersAnn McCormick
Leslie Grimm
Teri Perl
Defunct2002
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, and a large percentage of the staff were let go, reduced to a skeleton staff. The company effectively ended then, though SoftKey changed its name to The Learning Company and used its brand name.

The name continued to be a brand name by Riverdeep and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt until 2018.

Founding and ownershipEdit

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 after Mr. Dinsmore was hired, 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, Mr. Duca was elected Chairman of the Board . IGSB became The Learning Company's largest shareholder.

 
Logo used by SoftKey, Mattel, and Riverdeep for the TLC brand from 1995-2007.

Logo used by SoftKey, Mattel, and Riverdeep

During the 10-year period from 1985 to 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 acquisitionEdit

Main article: 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. The company effectively ended then, though SoftKey changed its name to The Learning Company and used its brand name.


Software (please remove software after SoftKey acquisition)Edit

Reader Rabbit / The ClueFinders seriesEdit

ZoombinisEdit

Super Solvers seriesEdit

Starflyers seriesEdit

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

Super Seekers gamesEdit

Fisher-Price seriesEdit

  • 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)

Carmen Sandiego seriesEdit

MindPower seriesEdit

  • 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 seriesEdit

Other gamesEdit

  • 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

ReferencesEdit

  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

External linksEdit

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