Who is Ray Tomlinson, and what is he famous for? Tomlinson invented email 40 years ago this summer, in 1971. Tomlinson was born in New York state and attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he participated in a program with IBM. Tomlinson received a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from RPI in 1963.
After graduating from RPI, Tomlinson entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to continue his electrical engineering education. At MIT, Tomlinson worked in the Speech Communication Group and developed an analog-digital hybrid speech synthesizer as part of his Master's thesis. He received a S.M. in Electrical Engineering degree in 1965.
In 1967, he joined the technology company of Bolt, Beranek, and Newman -- now BBN Technologies -- where he helped develop the TENEX operating system, including ARPANET, which was the beta for the Internet. He was asked to do something with the system; computers were not talking to computers then. He started going down a path to find a way for people to communicate when they did not answer the phone.
He says he can't remember the content of the first test message he sent -- his guess is "QWERTYUIOP," the top line of letters on a computer keyboard. He determined that the "@" symbol was the best way to separate a user from his machine and allow messages to be sent between computers. Tomlinson kept the email message system under wraps at first, but it soon took off.
The word "email" was coined in 1982, and the Queen of England was the first public official to send an email in 1976. Ray, thanks for the 200-plus emails I get each day -- though I am not sure if I love you or hate you for this gift.
Awsome! Did not realise Ray Tomlinson invented email.
This is a good achievement. E-mail has enhanced communication in many respects both privately and publicly. It has equally contributed to the reduction of paper usage (it's quicker to email than write a letter), reduce the cost of posting letters and most importantly accelerate and connect people, businesses all over the world.
Interesting bio about the history of email. I belive it is by far the most effective form of communication. Businesses cant grow fast without emails right?
Interesting bio about the history of email. I belive it is by far the most effective form of communication. Businesses cant grow fast without emails right?
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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