Computing loses another one...

[crfriend]

The official date of Wesley Clark's departure was 2016-02-22 but I just learnt of it today. The world of computing is now a poorer place.

"Wes" Clark (as he was universally known) was one of the chaps who brought into the world was was effectively the world's first "personal computer" -- and he did so in 1961. Yes, that reads, "nineteen sixty-one"; Bill Gates was still wearing nappies.

The machine introduced then, the LINC (a contraction of "Laboratory INstrumentation Computer", and a play on "Lincoln Laboratory" where it was originally developed) was a groundbreaking device that revolutionised the world of biomedical experimentation. The original run of the machine amounted to only 53 examples -- yet my elder aunt recognised the machine by name when I mentioned to her that I was working on a presentation of it, its history, place in the world, and its successors.

In a way, Wes paved the way for what was to have come. And, by all accounts, did so with grace, humility, and dignity.

We'll miss you, Wes. Just follow the trail of "blinkenlights" if you want to come home. They're still on in the hearts of purists.

[Fred in Skirts]

The official date of Wesley Clark's departure was 2016-02-22 but I just learnt of it today. The world of computing is now a poorer place.

I knew of Wes but never net him. And he died on my birthday so I will never forget him either.

Fred