[ad_1]
C. Gordon Bell, Pioneering Figure in Minicomputers, Passes Away
C. Gordon Bell, renowned as a technological visionary and instrumental in the inception of the minicomputer industry during the ’60s, passed away at his residence in Coronado, California, last Friday. Bell was 89 years old, and his cause of death was reported to be pneumonia, according to a statement released by his family.
The Mastermind behind the Transition to Personal Computers
Often referred to as the “Frank Lloyd Wright of computers” by Datamation magazine, Bell was fundamental in designing smaller, affordable, and interactive computers that could form a network. He excelled in computer architecture, playing a crucial role in the construction of the first time-sharing computer and was a strong proponent for the manufacturing of the Ethernet. Bell was among a select group of eminent engineers who bridged the gap between the massive mainframe models and the advent of the personal computer.
An Illustrious Career
Upon leaving several startups, Bell relocated to the National Science Foundation’s computers and information science and engineering group, where he spearheaded an initiative to consolidate the world’s supercomputers into a high-speed network, which lent a significant contribution to the modern internet’s development. Eventually, he was enlisted to the Microsoft research lab, where he served for approximately two decades before receiving the title of researcher emeritus. Recognizing his significant endeavors in the industry, he was presented with the National Medal of Technology and Innovation in 1991.
Driving Force Behind the Digital Equipment Corporation
At a time when rival companies such as IBM were marketing multi-million dollar mainframe computers, the Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) aimed at producing smaller yet powerful machines that could be sold at a fraction of the cost. Bell was a critical cog in the DEC machine, designing their initial entries into the then-emerging minicomputer market after being recruited from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1960.
The Birth of the First Minicomputer
The PDP-8, launched in 1965 with a price tag of $18,000, was heralded as the first successful minicomputer in the market. Furthermore, DEC minicomputers were bought by scientists, engineers, and other users paving the way for direct interaction with these machines. This was a significant shift from the norm as commercial computers were often inaccessible and closely monitored by specialists in that era. As a result, Bell and DEC played a leverage role in the personal computer revolution.
Professional Challenges and Personal Issues
Despite his professional achievements, Bell’s tenure at DEC was not without its challenges. The company’s culture, defined by heated debates and blurred management lines, combined with the autocratic leadership of Kenneth Olsen, took a toll on Bell’s health, leading him to take a six-year sabbatical. Upon his return as vice president of engineering in 1972, he led the design of the VAX 780, a revolutionary minicomputer that propelled DEC to become the world’s second-largest computer maker by the early 1980s.
Life and Legacy of Gordon Bell
Chester Gordon Bell was born on August 19, 1934, in Kirksville, Missouri, to Chester Bell, an electrician, and Lola (Gordon) Bell, a grade school teacher. Despite early health issues, Bell’s fascination with mechanics led him to become a professional electrician by the age of 12.
After obtaining a master’s degree in electrical engineering from M.I.T. in 1957 and a Fulbright scholarship to the University of New South Wales, he returned to the U.S. to join Digital Equipment Corporation. Following his tenure at DEC, he founded Encore Computer and Ardent Computer and contributed significantly to policymaking and technology development at the National Science Foundation. Bell eventually orchestrated an early version of the internet known as the National Research and Education Network. He then moved to California, where he became a Silicon Valley angel investor and later, an adviser to Microsoft.
His second wife Sheridan Sinclaire-Bell, son Brigham, daughter Laura Bell, stepdaughter Logan Forbes, sister Sharon Smith, and four grandchildren survive him.
In a 1985 interview with Computerworld, Bell described his approach to embracing and navigating the fast-paced world of technology. He shared, “The trick in any technology is knowing when to get on the bandwagon, knowing when to push for change, and then knowing when it’s dead and time to get off.”
Reporting was contributed by Alex Traub.
[ad_2]
