Transmeta

Transmeta is a US-based corporation that makes microprocessors. Its claim to fame is the Crusoe, a X86 low-power microprocessor, used in PDAs too. Until June 2003, Transmeta also employed Linus Torvalds, the creator of the Linux operating system. When it first started up, its purpose was kept secret, but partially because it employed Linus the industry was constantly abuzz with rumors (and conspiracy theories), which resulted in excellent PR. The mundane processor that it eventually churned out was somewhat disappointing to the internet communities that were certain Transmeta had some fantastic plan for world domination.