Broderbund Software (stylized as Brøderbund Software) was a American maker of video games, educational software, and productivity tools; notable products include Carmen Sandiego educational games, The Print Shop, Reader Rabbit and various video games such as Lode Runner and Myst.
History[]
Broderbund Software, Inc. (stylized as Brøderbund) was founded in Eugene, Oregon, by brothers Gary and Doug Carlston (the later a semi-professional programmer of TRS-80 games). The company was moved to San Rafael, California, then later to Novato, California.
Broderbund was purchased by The Learning Company (formerly SoftKey, which had bought the original The Learning Company) in 1998 and later purchased by Mattel in 1999; however, due to the financial losses incurred by the purchase, Mattel sold the company off. After multiple transfers, the original company was ultimately dissolved. The name now remains as a line of software sold by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, though many of its products (such as The Print Shop, PrintMaster, and Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing) remain as active IPs under the name.
In Relation to American Girl[]
The company was involved in the creation of four Amnerican Girl computer software products:
- The American Girls Premiere (both first and second editions)
- The American Girls Dress Designer
- Your Notebook with Help from Amelia (part of the Amelia Line)
External links[]
- Website (as owned by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
- Wikipedia Article