Interleaf, Inc.—1981 to 2000

INTERLEAF, INC., was an early entry into the computer-based publishing business, initially based on computer workstations and focusing on technical publishing. The company was formed in 1981, shipped its fi rst product in 1984, which included a variety of hardware and software innovations, and was in a strong position to go public in 1986. In the later 1980s, other companies entered the business in competition with Interleaf, and personal computers then had the power that once required an expensive workstation; there was also standardization around window systems such as the X Window System, Motif on top of X, and Microsoft Windows. Also some of Interleaf's innovations were no longer competitive advantages as the industry coalesced around alternative technologies such as PostScript and Acrobat Reader. Redirecting its business strategy once and then again, Interleaf continued on with up and down success until 2000 when it was acquired by Broad Vision.