Below is the list of tables from the database along with their columns and datatype. Need to generate an accurate SQL query for the question.
Only use the columns present in the respective table. Only use the columns which are required to generate the SQL query. Only use table joins if required and not otherwise.

### Tables ###
TABLE: CREATE TABLE Third_Party_Companies (company_name VARCHAR, company_id VARCHAR)
TABLE: CREATE TABLE Maintenance_Contracts (maintenance_contract_company_id VARCHAR, contract_start_date VARCHAR)

### Question ###
Which company started the earliest the maintenance contract? Show the company name.

### Accurate SQL ###

SELECT T1.company_name FROM Third_Party_Companies AS T1 JOIN Maintenance_Contracts AS T2 ON T1.company_id = T2.maintenance_contract_company_id ORDER BY T2.contract_start_date LIMIT 1