Gary Kildall

1942

Gary Arlen Kildall (; May 19, 1942 – July 11, 1994) was an American computer scientist and microcomputer entrepreneur who created the CP/M operating system and founded Digital Research, Inc.

1972

To learn more about the processors, he worked at Intel as a consultant on his days off. Kildall briefly returned to UW and finished his doctorate in computer science in 1972, then resumed teaching at NPS.

1973

Intel lent him systems using the 8008 and 8080 processors, and in 1973, he developed the first [programming language] for microprocessors, called PL/M.

1980

By 1981, at the peak of its popularity, CP/M ran on different computer models and DRI had  million in yearly revenues. === IBM dealings === IBM approached Digital Research in 1980, at Bill Gates' suggestion, to negotiate the purchase of a forthcoming version of CP/M called CP/M-86 for the IBM PC.

1981

By 1981, at the peak of its popularity, CP/M ran on different computer models and DRI had  million in yearly revenues. === IBM dealings === IBM approached Digital Research in 1980, at Bill Gates' suggestion, to negotiate the purchase of a forthcoming version of CP/M called CP/M-86 for the IBM PC.

1983

During the seven years from 1983 to 1990 he co-hosted a public television program on the side, called Computer Chronicles, that followed trends in personal computing. In 1984 he started another company, Activenture, which adapted optical disc technology for computer use.

1984

During the seven years from 1983 to 1990 he co-hosted a public television program on the side, called Computer Chronicles, that followed trends in personal computing. In 1984 he started another company, Activenture, which adapted optical disc technology for computer use.

1985

Novell acquired DRI in 1991 in a deal that netted millions for Kildall. Kildall resigned as CEO of Digital Research on 28 June 1985, but remained chairman of the board. Kildall also pursued computing-related projects outside DRI.

In early 1985 it was renamed KnowledgeSet and released the first computer encyclopedia in June 1985, a CD-ROM version of Grolier's Academic American Encyclopedia named The Electronic Encyclopedia, later acquired by Banta Corporation.

1990

During the seven years from 1983 to 1990 he co-hosted a public television program on the side, called Computer Chronicles, that followed trends in personal computing. In 1984 he started another company, Activenture, which adapted optical disc technology for computer use.

1991

Novell acquired DRI in 1991 in a deal that netted millions for Kildall. Kildall resigned as CEO of Digital Research on 28 June 1985, but remained chairman of the board. Kildall also pursued computing-related projects outside DRI.

1992

In later years, he had occasional private expressions of bitterness at being overshadowed by Microsoft. Kildall was annoyed when the University of Washington asked him, as a distinguished graduate, to attend their computer science program anniversary in 1992, but gave the keynote speech to Gates, a dropout from Harvard.

1994

Gary Arlen Kildall (; May 19, 1942 – July 11, 1994) was an American computer scientist and microcomputer entrepreneur who created the CP/M operating system and founded Digital Research, Inc.

He owned a mansion with a panoramic ocean view in Pebble Beach, California, near the headquarters of DRI. == Death == On July 8, 1994, Kildall fell at a Monterey, California, biker bar and hit his head.

1995

His untimely death was very unfortunate and his work will be missed." In March 1995, Kildall was posthumously honored by the Software Publishers Association (SPA) for his contributions to the microcomputer industry: The first programming language and first compiler specifically for microprocessors: PL/M.

2004

The journalist Harold Evans used the memoir as a source for a chapter about Kildall in the 2004 book They Made America, concluding that Microsoft had robbed Kildall of his inventions.

2014

(1985, with KnowledgeSet) In April 2014, the city of Pacific Grove installed a commemorative plaque outside Kildall's former residence, which also served as the early headquarters of Digital Research. == See also == History of personal computers John Q.

2016

In August 2016, Kildall's family made the first part of his memoir available to the public. Selling DRI to Novell had made Kildall a wealthy man, and he moved to the West Lake Hills suburb of Austin.




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