The Learning Company (TLC) was an American educational software company founded in 1980 in Palo Alto, California and headquartered in Fremont, California.The company produced a grade-based line of learning software, edutainment games, and productivity tools.Its titles included the flagship series Reader Rabbit, for preschoolers through second graders, and The ClueFinders, for more advanced students.The company was also known for publishing licensed educational titles featuring characters such as Arthur, The Powerpuff Girls, SpongeBob SquarePants and Sesame Street.
In December 1995, the company was acquired by SoftKey in a hostile takeover bid, at which point SoftKey assumed the Learning Company name and brand.
History
The Learning Company was founded on May 8, 1980, by Ann McCormick; Leslie Grimm; Teri Perl; and Warren Robinett, a former Atari, Inc. employee who had programmed the game Adventure.[3]
They saw the
Apple II
as an opportunity to teach young children concepts of math, reading, science, problem-solving, and thinking skills.
Part of the original funding for the company came from a National Science Foundation grant.
TLC produced launch titles for the PCjr, announced in late 1983.[4] From 1980 through 1984, it created a line of 15 widely acclaimed children's educational software products, which were sold through the U.S. retail and school computer software channels.
In the first half of 1985, the board hired as CEO Bill Dinsmore. Shortly thereafter, Reece Duca, a founding Partner of the Investment Group of Santa Barbara (IGSB), became a member of the board of directors and purchased shares from several founders and original venture firms. In late 1986, Duca was elected chairman of the board. At that time, IGSB became The Learning Company's largest shareholder.
Between March 1985 and September 1995, TLC's revenues grew at a 36% compounded rate from $2.4M to $53.2M and profitability increased from breakeven in 1985 to a 20% pre-tax margin. The leading families of products were the Reader Rabbit series for ages 2–8, the Treasure Mountain Reading-Math-Science series for ages 5–9, the Super Solver series for ages 7–12, the Student Writing & Publishing Center for ages 7-adult, and the Foreign Language Learning series for ages 15-adult.
TLC went public on April 28, 1992, in an IPO led by Morgan Stanley and Robertson, Stephens & Co. From 1992 to 1995, TLC achieved 16 consecutive quarters of revenues and profits growth, never experiencing a down quarter or year. TLC's early struggles, followed by 10 consecutive years of outstanding performance, were the subject of case studies at both Harvard and Stanford universities.
In 2001, the entertainment division of Learning Co. was renamed Game Studios.[5]
In 2006, The Learning Company became a brand of Houghton Mifflin Company, which later changed its name to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in 2007 following the acquisition of Harcourt Publishing. Most recently, in July 2024, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt rebranded as simply "HMH" to reflect its focus as a digital-first learning company, moving beyond its legacy as a traditional publisher. The company now provides K-12 adaptive learning solutions, including curriculum, assessment, and professional learning resources. In April 2018, The Learning Company was folded into Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
SoftKey acquisition
In December 1995, TLC was acquired by SoftKey for $606M[6] in a hostile takeover bid, and a large percentage of the staff was fired. After the acquisition was complete, SoftKey changed its name to The Learning Company and continued to use its brand. The Learning Company née SoftKey was subsequently acquired by Mattel in August 1999.
Software
Note: When The Learning Company purchased Broderbund Software and MECC, they gained the rights to the long-running Carmen Sandiego and Trail series, respectively. Only those games created during the ownership of The Learning Company are included here.
Carmen Sandiego series
Carmen Sandiego's ThinkQuick Challenge (1999)
Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? Treasures of Knowledge (2001)
Carmen Sandiego Adventures in Math (2011–2012)
Carmen Sandiego Returns (2015)
The ClueFinders series
Grade-based titles
The ClueFinders 3rd Grade Adventures (1998)
The ClueFinders 4th Grade Adventures (1998)
The ClueFinders 5th Grade Adventures (1999)
The ClueFinders 6th Grade Adventures (1999)
Other titles
The ClueFinders Math Adventures (1998)
The ClueFinders Reading Adventures (1999)
The ClueFinders Search and Solve Adventures (2000)
The ClueFinders Real World Adventure Kit (2001)
The ClueFinders: The Incredible Toy Store Adventure! (2001)
The ClueFinders: Mystery Mansion Arcade (2002)
Fisher-Price series
Created and published by Davidson & Associates / Knowledge Adventure and re-released by The Learning Company.
Fisher-Price: Dream Dollhouse (1995)
Fisher-Price: Great Adventures: Castle (1995)
Fisher-Price: Great Adventures: Pirate Ship (1996)
Fisher-Price: Great Adventures: Wild Western Town (1997)
Fisher-Price: Big Action Garage (1998)
Fisher-Price: Big Action Construction (1998)
Fisher-Price: Little People Christmas Activity Center (1999)
