The Wall Street Journal today has a nice timeline of the rise of private equity. Definitely worth reading in this new (again) era of the mega-deal. Don't miss the sidebar with the dates of formation of several key private equity players.

Key private equity firms and the dates they were formed.

1966 -- Warburg Pincus

1974 -- Thomas H. Lee Partners

1976 -- Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co.

1976 -- Tracinda Corp.

1984 -- Bain Capital

1985 -- Blackstone Group

1987 -- Carlyle Group

1990 -- Apollo Advisors

1993 -- Texas Pacific Group; Madison Dearborn Partners

1999 -- Silver Lake Partners

The Rise of Private Equity [Wall Street Journal]