Career Timeline of Paul Allen: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Paul Allen made an impact.

Paul Allen was an American businessman, computer programmer, and philanthropist best known for co-founding Microsoft with Bill Gates in 1975. His work was instrumental in the microcomputer revolution. Beyond Microsoft, Allen was involved in diverse ventures as an investor, sports executive, film producer, and explorer. At the time of his death in 2018, he was ranked among the wealthiest people in the world.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1972: Worked on an automated class scheduling system for Lakeside

In 1972, after the death of Kent Evans, Bill Gates and Paul Allen worked together to finish an automated class scheduling system for Lakeside School.

1975: Microsoft was formed

In 1975, Paul Allen and Bill Gates formed Microsoft in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and began marketing a BASIC programming language interpreter.

1975: Co-founded Microsoft Corporation

In 1975, Paul Allen co-founded Microsoft Corporation with Bill Gates.

1980: Microsoft commits to delivering DOS

In 1980, Microsoft committed to delivering a disk operating system (DOS) to IBM for the original IBM PC and Paul Allen spearheaded a deal to purchase QDOS.

June 25, 1981: Microsoft became an incorporated business

On June 25, 1981, Microsoft restructured to become an incorporated business in Washington, changing its name to "Microsoft Corporation, Inc."

1982: Allen effectively left Microsoft

In 1982, Allen effectively left Microsoft after being diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, but remained on the board of directors as vice chairman.

1983: Allen refused to sell his Microsoft shares

In 1983, Bill Gates tried to buy Allen out of Microsoft at $5 per share, but Allen refused, a decision that made him a billionaire when Microsoft went public.

1983: Allen's Departure from Microsoft

In 1983, Paul Allen departed from Microsoft, leading to his subsequent business and creative ventures.

1983: Quit Microsoft and remained on the board

In early 1983, Allen quit from day-to-day work at Microsoft after a Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis, remaining on its board as vice-chairman.

1986: Gates and Allen donated to Lakeside

In 1986, Bill Gates and Paul Allen donated $2.2 million to their childhood school, Lakeside.

1986: Founded Vulcan Inc.

In 1986, Paul Allen and his sister, Jody Allen, founded Vulcan Inc., a privately held company that managed his business and philanthropic efforts.

1988: Purchased the Portland Trail Blazers

In 1988, Paul Allen purchased the Portland Trail Blazers NBA team.

1989: Allen Donates to Construct the Allen Library

In 1989, Paul Allen donated $2 million to the University of Washington to construct the Allen Library. He also donated $8 million to establish the Kenneth S. Allen Library Endowment.

1997: Acquired the Seahawks

In 1997, Paul Allen acquired the Seattle Seahawks for US$200 million.

1997: Purchased the Seattle Seahawks

In 1997, Paul Allen purchased the National Football League's Seattle Seahawks.

November 9, 2000: Allen resigned from Microsoft's board

On November 9, 2000, Paul Allen resigned from his position on the Microsoft board of directors but remained as a senior strategy advisor.

2000: Allen Plays Rhythm Guitar on Album Grown Men

In 2000, Paul Allen played rhythm guitar on the independently produced album Grown Men.

2000: Resigned from Microsoft's board

In 2000, Paul Allen resigned from his position on Microsoft's board and assumed the post of senior strategy advisor to the company's management team.

2002: Far from Heaven released

In 2002, Allen's Vulcan Productions released the film Far from Heaven.

2002: Allen Donates to Construct the Paul G. Allen Center for Computer Science

In 2002, Paul Allen donated $14 million to the University of Washington to construct the Paul G. Allen Center for Computer Science and Engineering.

2002: Seahawks moved into Seahawks Stadium

In 2002, the Seattle Seahawks moved into Seahawks Stadium after Allen invested into the upgrade of the stadium.

September 2003: Allen Institute for Brain Science Launched

In September 2003, Paul Allen launched the Allen Institute for Brain Science with a $100 million contribution. The institute was dedicated to understanding the human brain.

October 4, 2004: Allen confirmed as sole investor behind SpaceShipOne

On October 4, 2004, Paul Allen confirmed that he was the sole investor behind Burt Rutan's SpaceShipOne suborbital commercial spacecraft, which later won the Ansari X Prize.

2004: Funded SpaceShipOne

In 2004, Paul Allen funded the first crewed private spaceplane with SpaceShipOne.

2005: Hard Candy and Rx for Survival: A Global Health Challenge released

In 2005, Allen's Vulcan Productions released the films Hard Candy and Rx for Survival: A Global Health Challenge.

2006: Where God Left His Shoes released

In 2006, Allen's Vulcan Productions released the film Where God Left His Shoes.

April 2, 2007: Purchased the arena where the Blazers play

On April 2, 2007, Paul Allen purchased the Moda Center where the Portland Trail Blazers play.

2007: Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial released

In 2007, Allen's Vulcan Productions released the film Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial.

2009: Seattle Sounders FC began play

In 2009, Seattle Sounders FC, part-owned by Allen's Vulcan Sports & Entertainment, began play at CenturyLink Field.

2010: This Emotional Life released

In 2010, Allen's Vulcan Productions released the film This Emotional Life.

2010: Allen Donates to Build the Paul G. Allen School of Global Animal Health

In 2010, Paul Allen announced a gift of $26 million to build the Paul G. Allen School of Global Animal Health at Washington State University.

2010: Allen Launches Distinguished Investigators Awards

In 2010, Paul Allen launched the Allen Distinguished Investigators Awards (ADI) to support scientists with early-stage research projects.

2010: Allen Signs The Giving Pledge

In 2010, Paul Allen signed The Giving Pledge, committing to donate at least half of his wealth to philanthropic causes. He also received commendations such as the Andrew Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy and Inside Philanthropy's "Philanthropist of the Year" in 2010.

December 13, 2011: Allen announced creation of Stratolaunch Systems

On December 13, 2011, Paul Allen announced the creation of Stratolaunch Systems, a proposed orbital launch system with a dual-bodied jet aircraft.

2011: Publication of 'Idea Man: A Memoir by the Co-founder of Microsoft'

In 2011, Paul Allen's memoir, 'Idea Man: A Memoir by the Co-founder of Microsoft', was published by Portfolio, a Penguin Group imprint. The book recounts Allen's early interest in computers, the founding of Microsoft, and his ventures after leaving the company.

(Idea Man: A Memoir by the Co-founder of Microsoft) [By: Allen, Paul] [May, 2012]

Check it on Amazon

October 30, 2012: Paperback version of 'Idea Man' is published

On October 30, 2012, a paperback version of Paul Allen's memoir, 'Idea Man: A Memoir by the Co-founder of Microsoft' was published, including a new epilogue.

(Idea Man: A Memoir by the Co-founder of Microsoft) [By: Allen, Paul] [May, 2012]

Check it on Amazon

2012: Allen's South Lake Union investment called "unexpectedly lucrative"

In 2012, The Wall Street Journal called Paul Allen's South Lake Union investment "unexpectedly lucrative," leading to his firm selling a complex to Amazon.com for US$1.16 billion.

November 2013: Vulcan Productions and Pandora's Promise Release

In November 2013, Vulcan Productions released Pandora's Promise, a documentary about nuclear power, on CNN. The documentary, directed by Robert Stone, was followed by college and private screenings and panel discussions.

2013: Girl Rising co-produced by Vulcan Productions

In 2013, Allen's Vulcan Productions co-produced the film Girl Rising, which tells the stories of girls from different parts of the world seeking an education.

2013: Everywhere at Once Released

In 2013, Paul Allen and the Underthinkers released Everywhere at Once on Sony's Legacy Recordings.

January 2014: Allen held 100 million shares of Microsoft

In January 2014, Paul Allen still held 100 million shares of Microsoft.

December 2014: Allen Commits $100 Million to Cell Science Institute

In December 2014, Paul Allen committed $100 million to establish the Allen Institute for Cell Science in Seattle. The institute's goal is to investigate and create virtual models of cells for disease treatment.

2014: Allen Supports the Sea Around Us Project

In 2014, Paul Allen began supporting the University of British Columbia's Sea Around Us Project to improve data on global fisheries.

2014: Allen Pledges $100 Million to Fight Ebola

In 2014, Paul Allen pledged at least $100 million to fight the Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa. He also created TackleEbola.org to spread awareness.

2014: Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence (AI2) Founded

In 2014, the Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence (AI2) was founded. The main focus of the AI2 is to research and engineer artificial intelligence.

April 13, 2015: Vulcan Aerospace was announced

On April 13, 2015, Vulcan Aerospace was announced as the company within Allen's Vulcan Inc. that plans and executes projects to shift how the world conceptualizes space travel.

April 21, 2015: Ebola Innovation Summit Held in San Francisco

On April 21, 2015, Paul Allen convened key leaders in the Ebola fight at the Ebola Innovation Summit in San Francisco.

July 2015: Global FinPrint Initiative Launched

In July 2015, the Global FinPrint initiative, funded by Paul Allen, was launched. It is a three-year survey of sharks and rays in coral reef areas.

October 2015: Paul G. Allen Family Foundation Awards Grants to Prevent Future Outbreaks

In October 2015, the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation announced it would award seven new grants totaling $11 million to prevent future widespread outbreaks of the virus.

November 3, 2015: Washington State Initiative 1401 Passed

On November 3, 2015, Washington state initiative 1401, backed by Paul Allen, passed. It prohibits the purchase, sale, and distribution of products made from endangered species.

2015: Racing Extinction and Body Team 12 released

In 2015, Allen's Vulcan Productions released the films Racing Extinction and Body Team 12, the latter of which was nominated for an Oscar.

2015: Smart City Challenge Created

In 2015, Paul Allen and Vulcan Inc. launched the Smart City Challenge, a contest inviting American cities to transform their transportation systems.

2015: Allen Founds Seattle Art Fair

In 2015, Paul Allen founded the Seattle Art Fair, a four-day event featuring galleries from around the world.

2015: Results of Great Elephant Census Published

In 2015, the results of the Great Elephant Census, funded by Paul Allen, were published. The census showed rapid declines in African savannah elephant populations.

January 2016: Ebola Cases Reduced to Zero

In January 2016, the number of Ebola cases was reduced to zero, a goal Allen supported through his philanthropic efforts.

April 2016: Restoration Plan Completed

In April 2016, the Department of Environment (DoE) and Paul Allen's Vulcan Inc. successfully completed a restoration plan to help speed recovery and protect the future of coral in the area damaged by his yacht.

August 2016: Upstream Music Fest + Summit Launched

In August 2016, Paul Allen announced the launch of Upstream Music Fest + Summit, an annual festival fashioned after South by Southwest.

2016: Allen Pledges $10 Million for Allen Discovery Centers

In 2016, Paul Allen pledged a $10 million donation over four years for the creation of the Allen Discovery Centers at Tufts University and Stanford University.

2016: Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group Launched

In 2016, The Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group was launched with a $100 million commitment. The group supports scientists and research at the frontier of bioscience.

May 2017: First Upstream Music Fest + Summit Held

In May 2017, the first Upstream Music Fest + Summit took place in Pioneer Square.

2017: UW Computer Science Department Reorganized into Paul G. Allen School

In 2017, Paul Allen donated $40 million (with an additional $10 million from Microsoft) to reorganize the University of Washington's Computer Science and Engineering department into the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering.

April 13, 2019: Stratolaunch made its maiden flight

On April 13, 2019, the Stratolaunch aircraft made its maiden flight, reaching 15,000 feet and 165 knots, becoming the largest airplane in history by wingspan. The flight was dedicated to Paul Allen.