Here's an excerpt from SolidWorks correspondance :
Dear SolidWorks Reseller,
It was 1995. Dr. William Townsend, fresh from MIT, was working to develop the first haptic robot arm, a device that provides constant feedback to the operator in the form of vibrations, forces and motions – so that it behaves like one’s natural arm. Dr. Townsend took a gamble and through his new company, Barrett Technology Inc., became the first customer to purchase SolidWorks software. Fourteen years later, Barrett’s WAM™ robotic arm is now in every major university and has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most advanced robot.
We thank Dr. Townsend for his trust in 1995 and for his continued business over the past 14 years. We are inspired by his company’s achievements.