This week, 3Com is celebrating 30 years since Ethernet-inventor Bob Metcalfe incorporated the company. 
The company noted a number of achievements. Starting with the first commercial TCP/IP for UNIX, and then the introduction of the first “Thicknet” Ethernet Transceiver, the 3C100, 3Com’s 30-year timeline is dotted with customer-driven technology innovations such as:
- The world’s first Ethernet adapter card for the PC
- The world’s first commercial network operating system, Etherseries
- Commercialization of Ethernet bridging which later evolved into Ethernet switching
- Use of Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) to lower the cost and complexity of networking
- The Ethernet stackable hub and switch
- The invention and commercialization of Power over Ethernet (PoE)
- Creation of IRF (XRN) virtual chassis stacking technology
- Commercialization of voice-over-IP
http://www.3com.com