Nvidia was founded on April 5, 1993, by three engineers: Jensen Huang, Chris Malachowsky, and Curtis Priem.
They saw a bright future in 3D graphics, especially for video games, and wanted to create powerful chips to make games look and run better.
Jensen Huang, who had worked at LSI Logic and AMD, brought valuable experience to the new company. Chris Malachowsky and Curtis Priem also had strong backgrounds in computer engineering.
Early days and first products
In the beginning, Nvidia faced tough competition from big companies like Intel and new ones like 3dfx Interactive.
Their first product, the NV1, came out in 1995. It combined 2D and 3D graphics, audio, and input/output functions into one chip. However, it didn’t do well because it used a unique method that was soon replaced by Microsoft’s DirectX standard.
Learning from this, Nvidia created the RIVA 128 in 1997, which followed the DirectX standard.
This product was a hit, making Nvidia a well-known name in the graphics card market. The RIVA 128 was popular because it offered good performance at a reasonable price, making it attractive to both gamers and computer manufacturers.
The game-changing GeForce
In 1999, Nvidia launched the GeForce 256, calling it the world’s first GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The GeForce 256 introduced hardware transform and lighting (T&L), which made graphics look better and run faster by offloading work from the CPU.
This was a major advancement and set a new standard for graphics cards. The GeForce series continued to improve with each new generation, helping Nvidia stay ahead of its competitors.
Expanding beyond gaming
In the early 2000s, Nvidia started to look beyond gaming.
They introduced the Quadro series for professionals who needed high-quality graphics for tasks like designing buildings and creating digital content. Nvidia also entered the mobile market with the Tegra line of chips in 2008.
These chips combined a CPU and GPU into one unit, making them ideal for smartphones, tablets, and car infotainment systems.
The CUDA revolution
A significant development came in 2006 when Nvidia introduced CUDA (Compute Unified Device Architecture).
CUDA allowed developers to use Nvidia GPUs for more than just graphics. They could now use them for scientific research, artificial intelligence, and other complex computing tasks.
This innovation made Nvidia GPUs essential tools in many scientific and technical fields.
Leading the AI and data center markets
As artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning became more important, Nvidia positioned itself as a leader in these areas.
Their GPUs were perfect for training AI models, which require a lot of computing power. Nvidia developed specialized hardware for data centers, like the Tesla, A100, and H100 GPUs, designed specifically for AI tasks.
Nvidia’s AI platforms, such as the Nvidia DGX systems, became widely used by companies in various industries. In 2020, Nvidia acquired Mellanox Technologies to enhance its data center capabilities with advanced networking technology.
Continued innovation
Nvidia kept innovating through the 2010s and 2020s. The GeForce RTX series, launched in 2018, introduced real-time ray tracing and AI-enhanced graphics, which made games look incredibly realistic.
These GPUs, powered by the Turing and later Ampere architectures, set new standards for performance and visual quality.
Nvidia also developed a range of software tools to support developers and researchers. Platforms like CUDA, TensorRT, and Nvidia AI Enterprise became essential for AI and high-performance computing.
Strategic acquisitions and future growth
Nvidia’s strategy included acquiring other companies to strengthen its technology and market position.
One of the significant acquisitions was ARM Holdings, aimed at expanding Nvidia’s influence in mobile and embedded computing. Although the ARM deal faced regulatory challenges, it showed Nvidia’s ambition to lead in the semiconductor industry.
Looking to the future, Nvidia is well-positioned to continue driving advancements in AI, gaming, and data centers.
Their GPUs are expected to play a crucial role in emerging technologies like autonomous vehicles, edge computing, and the metaverse. Nvidia’s focus on innovation and its strong partnerships ensure it will remain a key player in the tech world.
Conclusion
From its start in 1993 to becoming a leading tech company, Nvidia’s journey has been marked by innovation and strategic thinking.
The company’s ability to foresee and lead technological changes has made it a cornerstone of modern computing. As Nvidia continues to push the limits of technology, its impact on the world will only grow.