Delphi was first released in 1995 by Borland and quickly gained popularity due to its ease of use, high-performance capabilities, and rapid application development (RAD) features. Over the years, Delphi has undergone significant transformations, with Embarcadero acquiring the product in 2008. Today, Delphi remains a leading choice for developers building Windows applications, with a strong focus on mobile and cloud-based development.