The Western Design Center Inc.

Established in 1978 by William D. Mensch, Jr., the Western Design Center Inc. (WDC) has been a key player in the electronics industry. Since 1981, WDC has been licensing its renowned 65xx brand microprocessor Intellectual Property (IP/Cores). WDC is a trailblazer in the design and licensing of microprocessor technology Intellectual Property (IP) cores, with a significant influence on the development of the ARMxx series MPUs by inspiring Acorn engineers. Notable early licensees of WDC include GTE, Rockwell, MOS Technology, Synertek, and NCR. In 1984, WDC made history by becoming the first fabless semiconductor company to supply MPU chips to Apple Computer under the 65xx brand, solidifying its position as a pioneer in the industry.