The company was founded in 1980 by its current chairman and chief executive officer ( CEO), Doug Carlston, and his brother, Gary, when the personal computer software industry was still in its infancy. The brothers chose the name Brøderbund from Broder, a blend of the Swedish and Danish words for brother, and bund, German for alliance. The name originated from Gary Carlston’s travels to and employment in Sweden. Today, you can find the words Broder and Soster on the doors to the restrooms in the corporate lobby.