History of Paul Allen in Timeline
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.
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1903: Gustav Klimt Painted Birch Forest
In 1903, Gustav Klimt painted the Birch Forest, which was later included in Allen's art collection and auctioned in November 2022.
January 21, 1953: Paul Allen's birth
On January 21, 1953, Paul Gardner Allen was born in Seattle, Washington.
1965: Attended Lakeside School
In 1965, Paul Allen began attending Lakeside School in Seattle, where he befriended Bill Gates.
1971: Banned from University of Washington lab
In 1971, Paul Allen and Bill Gates were banned from the University of Washington's Computer Science Department laboratory for abusing their privileges.
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.
1982: Diagnosis of Hodgkin's Lymphoma
In 1982, Paul Allen was diagnosed with Stage 1-A Hodgkin's lymphoma, which was successfully treated with radiation therapy.
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.
1990: Trail Blazers reached the NBA Finals
In 1990, the Allen-owned Trail Blazers reached the NBA Finals.
1992: Trail Blazers reached the NBA Finals
In 1992, the Allen-owned Trail Blazers reached the NBA Finals.
1997: Acquired the Seahawks
In 1997, Paul Allen acquired the Seattle Seahawks for US$200 million.
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 2003: Paul G. Allen Center for Computer Science and Engineering Dedicated
In October 2003, the Paul G. Allen Center for Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Washington was dedicated.
2003: Octopus Yacht Launched
In 2003, Paul Allen's 414-foot yacht, Octopus, was launched.
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.
2005: Seahawks made Super Bowl
In 2005, the Paul Allen owned Seahawks made the Super Bowl following an NFC Championship victory.
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: Listed among Time 100 Most Influential People
In 2007, Allen was listed among the Time 100 Most Influential People in the World.
2007: Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial released
In 2007, Allen's Vulcan Productions released the film Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial.
2008: Listed among Time 100 Most Influential People
In 2008, Paul Allen was listed among the Time 100 Most Influential People in the World.
2009: Diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
In 2009, Paul Allen was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which was also successfully treated at the time.
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]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41G+gYpPhzL._SL500_.jpg "(Idea Man: A Memoir by the Co-founder of Microsoft) [By: Allen, Paul] [May, 2012]")
October 15, 2012: Allen Receives Eli and Edythe Broad Award for Philanthropy in the Arts
On October 15, 2012, Paul Allen received the Eli and Edythe Broad Award for Philanthropy in the Arts from Americans for the Arts.
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.
2012: Allen Attempts to Retrieve HMS Hood Ship's Bell
In 2012, Paul Allen and his team attempted to retrieve the ship's bell from HMS Hood, which sank in WWII, but the attempt was unsuccessful due to weather.
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.
2012: Kenneth S. and Faye G. Allen Library Endowment Renamed
In 2012, the Kenneth S. Allen Library Endowment was renamed the Kenneth S. and Faye G. Allen Library Endowment after Allen's mother died.
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.
2013: Allen Sells Barnett Newman's Onement VI at Sotheby's
In 2013, Paul Allen sold Barnett Newman's Onement VI (1953) at Sotheby's in New York for $43.8 million.
2013: Seahawks made Super Bowl
In 2013, the Paul Allen owned Seahawks made the Super Bowl following an NFC Championship victory.
January 2014: Allen held 100 million shares of Microsoft
In January 2014, Paul Allen still held 100 million shares of Microsoft.
February 2014: Seahawks won Super Bowl XLVIII
In February 2014, under Paul Allen's ownership, the Seattle Seahawks won Super Bowl XLVIII.
August 2014: Seahawks valued at $1.33 billion
In August 2014, the Seahawks, owned by Allen, were valued at $1.33 billion by Forbes.
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.
August 7, 2015: HMS Hood Ship's Bell Recovered
On August 7, 2015, Paul Allen and his research team successfully recovered the ship's bell from HMS Hood.
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: Project Aristo Aims to Pass 8th-Grade Science Exam
As of 2015, Project Aristo, one of AI2's four main projects, is working to build an AI system capable of passing an 8th-grade science exam.
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: Japanese Battleship Musashi Located
In 2015, the project team aboard RV Petrel, a research ship funded by Paul Allen, located the Japanese battleship Musashi.
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: Tatoosh Damages Coral Reef
In January 2016, Paul Allen's yacht Tatoosh severely damaged approximately 1300 square meters of coral reef in the West Bay replenishment zone, Cayman Islands.
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.
May 2016: HMS Hood Ship's Bell Put on Display
In May 2016, the restored bell from HMS Hood was put on display in the National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth, in remembrance of the 1,415 crewmen lost.
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: Allen Purchases Research Ship RV Petrel
In 2016, Paul Allen purchased the research ship RV Petrel.
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.
2017: RV Petrel Finds USS Indianapolis and Other Wrecks
In 2017, at Allen's direction, RV Petrel found USS Indianapolis, USS Ward, the wrecks of the Battle of Surigao Strait and the Battle of Ormoc Bay.
February 7, 2018: Quincy Jones Praises Allen's Talent
On February 7, 2018, Quincy Jones said he "sings and plays just like Hendrix" in an interview for New York magazine's Vulture website.
October 15, 2018: Paul Allen's death
On October 15, 2018, Paul Allen died with an estimated net worth of $20.3 billion.
November 3, 2018: Seattle Landmarks Illuminate in Blue as Tribute
On November 3, 2018, several Seattle-area landmarks, including the Space Needle, Columbia Center and Lumen Field, as well as various Microsoft offices throughout the United States, were illuminated in blue as a tribute to Paul Allen.
2018: RV Petrel Finds Lost US Navy Aircraft and USS Lexington
In 2018, RV Petrel found a lost US Navy C-2A Greyhound aircraft in the Philippine Sea, USS Lexington in the Coral Sea and the USS Juneau off the coast of the Solomon Islands.
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.
April 2019: Stratolaunch first flew
In April 2019, shortly after Paul Allen's death, the Allen-funded Stratolaunch first flew, becoming the largest aircraft in history by wingspan.
May 2019: Stratolaunch Systems Corporation ceased operations
As of the end of May 2019, Stratolaunch Systems Corporation had ceased operations.
2019: Upstream Music Fest Cancelled
In 2019, Upstream Music Fest + Summit was cancelled following Paul Allen's death in 2018.
2019: Octopus Put On The Market
In 2019, following Paul Allen's death in 2018, his yacht Octopus was refitted and put on the market for $325 million.
2021: Trail Blazers valued at $2.09 billion
In 2021, according to Forbes, the Allen-owned Trail Blazers were valued at $2.09 billion.
November 2022: Allen's Art Collection Auctioned at Christie's New York
In November 2022, Paul Allen's art collection was auctioned at Christie's New York, surpassing $1.5 billion in sales and becoming the biggest sale in art auction history.
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