Originally released for DOS in 1984, CADKEY was among the first CAD programs[1] with 3D capabilities for personal computers.

Peter Smith and Livingston Davies founded Micro Control Systems (MCS) in 1981.

[3] After the success of the product the company took the name CADKEY, Inc. and set up headquarters in Windsor, Connecticut.

CADKEY won editor's choice and CAD product of the year awards from PC Magazine in 1986 and 1988.

As part of a strategic shift to direct mail-based sales, Malcolm Davies reduced the price of the flagship CADKEY product from US $3,500 to $495.