History of Microsoft Powerpoint
Microsoft PowerPoint was originally developed by a software company called Forethought, Inc., under
the name “Presenter” in 1987. It was designed for Macintosh computers as a tool to create visuals
for group presentations. Shortly after its release, Microsoft saw its potential and acquired
Forethought for $14 million—their first major acquisition. The software was then renamed
“PowerPoint” and launched for Microsoft Windows in 1990, becoming a key part of the Microsoft Office
suite alongside Word and Excel.
Over the years, PowerPoint evolved significantly with added
features like slide transitions, animations, templates, and media integration. It became one of the
most widely used tools for business presentations, academic lectures, and personal projects. The
introduction of PowerPoint Online and its integration with cloud services like OneDrive have also
made it easier to collaborate in real time. Today, PowerPoint remains a leading presentation
software across the world, valued for its ease of use and powerful design tools.