MENLO PARK, Calif., July 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Computing visionary Douglas C. Engelbart, Ph.D, passed away peacefully at his home in Atherton, California on July 2, 2013. He was 88 years old.
Engelbart's work is the very foundation of personal computing and the Internet. His vision was to solve humanity's most important problems by using computers to improve communication and collaboration. He was world famous for his invention of the computer mouse and the origins of interactive computing.
"Doug was a giant who made the world a much better place and who deeply touched those of us who knew him," said Curtis R. Carlson, Ph.D., president and CEO of SRI. "SRI was very privileged and honored to have him as one of our 'family.' He brought tremendous value to society. We will miss his genius, warmth and charm. Doug's legacy is immense -- anyone in the world who uses a mouse or enjoys the productive benefits of a personal computer is indebted to him."
Engelbart joined SRI International in 1957 and led the organization's Augmentation Research Center (ARC) from 1959 to 1977, working with other computing pioneers to develop innovations such as display editing, online processing, linking and in-file object addressing, use of multiple windows, hypermedia, and context-sensitive help. Engelbart's debut of his innovations on December 9, 1968 became known as the "Mother of All Demos." The ARC became the second node of the ARPANET (the predecessor to the Internet) in 1969.
Among his many accolades, Engelbart received the National Medal of Technology in 2000, the Lemelson-MIT Prize in 1997, and the Turing Award, also in 1997.
Funeral information is not yet available.
Information on Engelbart's life and achievements:
Doug Engelbart Institute
Computer Mouse and Interactive Computing [SRI Timeline of Innovation]
40th Anniversary of Dawn of Interactive Computing [video]
About SRI International
Innovations from SRI International have created new industries, billions of dollars of marketplace value, and lasting benefits to society-touching our lives every day. SRI, a nonprofit research and development institute based in Silicon Valley, brings its innovations to the marketplace through technology licensing, new products, and spin-off ventures. Government and business clients come to SRI for pioneering R&D and solutions in computing and communications, chemistry and materials, education, energy, health and pharmaceuticals, national defense, robotics, sensing, and more.
Visit SRI's website and Timeline of Innovation to learn more about SRI.
SOURCE SRI International
