Bob Frankston

Technology Innovator • Co-creator of VisiCalc • IEEE Fellow

Bob Frankston

Welcome to my professional biography. I've been working with computers since 1963 and with online services from home since 1966. Having a terminal at home with unlimited access gave me a chance to learn by doing. I was fortunate enough to ride the crest of computing as happened and from early in my career I built tools to empower others to create their own solutions. I also grew up "in the room" as the Internet happened over the last half century.

Academic Background

Early Software Education

While in Junior High School, sat in on a class for Hunter hideHeaderhideHeader College faculty on how to program their new IBM 1620. It was taught by Mary Dolciani. (January 1963)

Stuyvesant High School (1963-1966)

Stuyvesant is one of the Science/Academic schools in New York City. Helped start the computer curriculum. Spent time at New York University's Courant Institute, where I gained experience on larger systems. There is a link back to this site on their Alumni page.

MIT (Undergrad 1967-1970, Grad 1970-1976)

Received BS Degrees in both Computer Science and Mathematics in 1970 and Masters and Engineers Degrees in Computer Science (and EE) in 1974. I did graduate work at Project MAC (renamed Laboratory for Computer Science and now CSAIL) where I was involved in the Multics project.

My Master's Thesis was "The Computer Utility as a Marketplace for Computer-Based Services". One area of continuing interest is "federated" systems. These are loosely coupled systems and databases as opposed to the more rigid distributed systems. Also did research in the Clinical Decision Making Group.

Co-founded the Student Information Processing Board, which provided computer access to students. I worked on the Multics project - the prototype for modern operating syetms.

Business and Professional Experience

2013-present

IEEE Consumer Technology Society

I write a column for the society's Consumer Electronics Magazine Magazine
2015-2017, member of the Board of Governors

1998-2013

CommonAngels

Member concentrating on early and seed stage investments.

1993-1998

Microsoft Corporation

Focused on the consumer use of computers, in particular, home networking This effort played a central role in today's home networks and repurposing broadband service networks for Internet connectivity. This effort involved assuring that Windows was "Internet-ready" as well as addressing protocol, infrastructure and working with carriers on policy issues to create a coherent "just works" experience.

1990-1992

Slate Corporation

Working on mobile and pen-based systems. Slate focused on pen-based and mobile computing.

1985-1990

Lotus Development

Created the Lotus Express product and a Fax facility for Lotus Notes.

1979-1985

Software Arts

Founded in 1979 with Dan Bricklin to develop and sell VisiCalc. VisiCalc was the first electronic spreadsheet program and remained a widely used program for personal computers for many years. (If you're interested in VisiCalc history, please send me mail.)

1977-1978

ECD Corporation

Consulted for ECD corporation in 1977 and developed a very extended Basic for their multiprocessor 6502-based system. ECD eventually learned the lessons of selling below cost and is no longer with us.

1966-1979

White-Weld and Company / Interactive Data Corporation

Worked in their computer research division, which later became Interactive Data Corporation, in various roles doing systems design and implementation. White-Weld was one of the earliest financial information services and used the Scientific Data Systems 940 to provide time-sharing services. Later, at IDC, developed tools on their own version of IBM's VM system. These projects included an interactive debugger and a VM-based mail system (predating Profs).

Awards & Honors

Writings

View my writings and essays here.

Personal Background

I was born in 1949 in Brooklyn, New York.