The majority of Real3D was formed by research and engineering divisions originally part of
GE Aerospace. Their experience traces its way back to the
Project Apollo Visual Docking Simulator, the first full-color 3D computer generated image system. GE sold similar systems of increasing complexity through the 1970s, but were never as large as other companies in the simulator space, like
Singer Corporation or
CAE. When
Jack Welch took over
General Electric in 1981 he demanded that every division in the company be 1st or 2nd in its industry, or face being sold off. GE Aerospace lasted longer than many other divisions, but was eventually sold off to
Martin Marietta in 1992. In 1995, Martin Marietta and
Lockheed merged to form
Lockheed Martin Corporation, the world’s largest
defense contractor. Following the merger, Lockheed Martin decided to market their graphics technology for civilian use. In January 1995 they set up Real3D and formed a relationship with
Sega. This led to the company's most successful product run, designing the 3D hardware using in over 200,000
Sega Model2 and
Model3 arcade systems, two of the most popular systems in history. The company also formed a partnership with
Intel and
Chips and Technologies to introduce similar technology as an add-in card for PC's, a project known as "Auburn". This project became a showcase for the
Accelerated Graphics Port system being introduced by Intel, which led to several design decisions that hampered the resulting products. Released in 1998 as the
Intel740, the system lasted less than a year in the market before being sold off under the StarFighter and Lightspeed brandnames. By 1999 both relationships were ending, and Lockheed Martin was focusing on its military assets. On 1 October 1999 the company closed, and its assets were sold to Intel on the 14th. ATI hired many of the remaining employees for a new Orlando office.
3dfx Interactive had sued Real3D on a patent basis, and Intel's purchase moved the lawsuits to the new owner. Intel settled the issue by selling all of the
intellectual property back to 3dfx. By this point,
nVidia had acquired all of
SGI's graphics development resources, which included a 10% share in Real3D. This led to series of lawsuits, joined by
ATI. The two companies were involved in lawsuits over Real3D's patents until a 2001 cross-licensing settlement. ==References==