Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation Recruitment Records
An Inventory of the Collection
Collection Summary | ||
| Creator: | Texas. Governor's Office of Economic Development | |
| Title: | Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation Recruitment Records | |
| Dates: | 1982-1991 | |
| Abstract: | Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation (MCC) was a pioneering research consortium of technology companies located in Austin, TX. The pre- and post-site section materials in the collection document the Texas Governor's Office recruitment efforts to bring MCC to Austin, Texas. The collection also contains publicity materials, photographs, newspaper clippings, and research and development materials that document the activities of the corporation from 1983-1991. | |
| Accession number: | AR.1991.006 | |
| Quantity: | 1.2 linear feet (4 document boxes and 1 artifacts box) | |
| Location: | Archives stacks, Artifacts | |
| Language: | English | |
| Repository: |
Austin History Center, Austin Public Library, 810 Guadalupe, PO Box 2287, Austin, TX 78768 |
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Administrative History
Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation (MCC) was a pioneering research consortium of technology companies located in Austin, TX. Created by the Department of Defense and the Justice Department in 1983, MCC was a response to Japan’s Fifth Generation Computer Systems project which was announced in 1982. The goal of MCC was to form a research and development consortium that would combine the resources of the leading high-tech U.S. companies to produce breakthrough technologies. Admiral Bobby Inman, former head of the National Security Agency under President Carter, was chosen to lead the effort.
In July 1983, Austin was selected as the home for MCC. Governor Mark White and San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros were considered influential and effective lobbyists for the project. The Austin incentive package to MCC included a subsidized lease at the Balcones Research Center, low-cost loans, and reduced mortgage rates for personnel moving to Austin. In addition, The University of Texas and Texas A&M agreed to substantially upgrade their computer science and electrical engineering departments.
During its peak in the mid-1980s, MCC employed almost 400 workers. In June of 2000, the MCC board voted to dissolve the consortium. At that time, it had fifty-eight employees. Formal papers seeking to dissolve MCC were filed in 2004.
Scope and Contents
The MCC records document the extensive site selection proposal process spearheaded by Texas Governor Mark White and the Governor's Office of Economic Development from 1982-1983. Research, impact analysis, fundraising efforts, correspondence, and a proposal book make up the majority of the collection. Related newspaper clippings are photocopied, the bulk of which are dated 1983. In addition, the collection holds photographs, press releases, publicity videos, informational booklets, as well as technical reports and physical artifacts from MCC’s QTAI Design Kit. The collections provides insight into the early efforts to promote Austin as a technology hub with the University of Texas, the State and the City of Austin working together to provide incentives to attract high technology firms.
Arrangement | ||
| The organization of the records within the original folders was largely maintained, but the processor created the overall arrangement. | ||
Restrictions
Access Restrictions
Open to all users
Advance notice is required for any audiovisual materials that do not have an access copy already created. Turnaround time for requested access copies will be no less than one week and is determined by the number of items requested and their duration.
Use Restrictions
The Austin History Center (AHC) is the owner of the physical materials in the AHC collections and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from the AHC before any publication use. The AHC does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners. Consult repository for more details.
Index Terms | ||
| Subjects (Persons) | ||
| White, Mark, 1940-2017. | ||
| Inman, Bobby Ray, 1931-. | ||
| Wiedemann, Harden H. | ||
| Wilson, Meg. | ||
| Subjects (Organizations) | ||
| Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation. | ||
| Balcones Research Center. | ||
| Texas Economic Development Commission. | ||
| Texas. Office of the Governor. | ||
| Texas. Planning and Intergovernmental Relations. | ||
| Subjects | ||
| Business enterprises--Texas--Austin. | ||
| Business and education--Texas--Austin. | ||
| City planning--Texas--Austin. | ||
| Corporations--Texas--Austin. | ||
| Knowledge economy--Texas--Austin. | ||
| Microelectronics industry. | ||
| Fifth generation computers. | ||
| Places | ||
| Austin (Tex.)--Commerce. | ||
| Document Types | ||
| Administrative records. | ||
| Booklets. | ||
| Clippings. | ||
| Correspondence. | ||
| Reports. | ||
| Sound cassettes. | ||
| Videocassettes (VHS). | ||
Related Material
General Collection
Austin Files
Archives & Manuscripts
Periodicals
Other Repositories
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Separated Material
Newspaper clippings were photocopied and then discarded. |
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Administrative Information
Custodial History
Collection was transferred to the Austin History Center by a staff member of the Governor's Office of Economic Development.
Preferred Citation
MCC Records (AR.1991.006). Austin History Center, Austin Public Library, Texas.
Acquisition Information
Donor #: DO/1990/038
Donation Date: 1990
Processing Information
Processed by Jessica Whitaker, March 2019
Detailed Description of the Collection