Does anyone know where I can find information on the development of the
PICs or the company(s) that started it all off.

I found a brief history at T.A.K.Designs Web page and mailed the
contributors by one no longer works for Mchip and the others mail
bounces.

I have been using the 16C84 for a home alarm and it's OK but I can not
compare it to other devices. I would like to know what is making the
little devils so popular?

again,
gratefully yours
--
Wilf Melling
Tel. +44 802 633888