Douglas Engelbart

Date of Birth: January 30, 1925

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: July 2, 2013

Biography

Douglas Carl Engelbart was an American engineer and inventor, best known for his work in the early stages of computer development and the creation of the computer mouse. Born on January 30, 1925, in Portland, Oregon, Engelbart grew up during the Great Depression. He served as a radar technician in the U.S. Navy during World War II, which sparked his interest in electronics and computing. After the war, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Oregon State University and later a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley. Engelbart’s most significant contributions to computing came during his tenure at the Stanford Research Institute (SRI) in the 1960s, where he established the Augmentation Research Center (ARC). It was here that he developed the oN-Line System (NLS), a revolutionary computer system that introduced the concept of hypertext, collaborative tools, and precursors to graphical user interfaces. His most famous invention, the computer mouse, was patented in 1970. Engelbart’s vision and work were showcased in the 1968 “Mother of All Demos,” which demonstrated many of the fundamental elements of modern computing. Despite initial resistance from the industry, his innovations laid the groundwork for future developments in personal computing, the internet, and interactive computing. Douglas Engelbart passed away on July 2, 2013, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and foresight that continues to influence technology today.

5 Interesting Facts about Douglas Engelbart

1. Douglas Engelbart was awarded the National Medal of Technology in 2000 by President Bill Clinton.

2. He held more than 20 patents, including the patent for the computer mouse.

3. Engelbart’s “Mother of All Demos” in 1968 introduced real-time text editing, video conferencing, and collaborative work.

4. He was influenced by Vannevar Bush’s article “As We May Think,” which inspired him to explore ways to use computers to augment human intellect.

5. Engelbart’s work laid the foundation for modern user interfaces, including the development of windows, icons, and pointers.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Douglas Engelbart

1. “The better we get at getting better, the faster we will get better.”

2. “We are on the verge of a global change, a time when the collective intelligence of our teams, organizations, and societies will be significantly enhanced by our digital networks.”

3. “The digital revolution is far more significant than the invention of writing or even of printing.”

4. “If ease of use was the only valid criterion, people would stick to tricycles and never try bicycles.”

5. “Your work is to keep cranking the flywheel that turns the gears that spin the belt in the engine of belief that keeps you and your desk in midair.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Douglas Engelbart’s highest net worth is not publicly documented, but his contributions to technology have a lasting impact that far exceeds monetary value.