Title
Rudkin, Tom (Thomas A.) oral history
Catalog Number
102740038
Type
Moving image
Description
Thomas A. Rudkin was a key software developer for PowerPoint from 1986 to 1995, particularly its versions for Microsoft Windows. Rudkin first encountered computers at the University of Kansas in the late 1960s and early 1970s as an undergraduate studying mathematics and philosophy. After earning a degree in computer science from the University of Wisconsin, Rudkin joined Intel Corporation in 1976 where he developed software for the microprocessor business. His career in software development continued at Bell Northern Research’s Palo Alto labs, and then at VisiCorp where he helped develop the graphical user interface operating system VisiOn. Rudkin joined Forethought Inc. where he, Robert Gaskins, and Dennis Austin created PowerPoint. After Microsoft’s purchase of Forethought, Rudkin remained a key developer for PowerPoint to 1995. This oral history of Rudkin focuses on his experiences in creating software, most especially PowerPoint.
Date
2015-03-31
Participants
Brock, David C., Interviewer
|
Fortier, James, Videographer
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Rudkin, Thomas A., Interviewee
|
Publisher
Computer History Museum
Place of Publication
Mountain View, California
Duration
02:12:45
Format
MOV
Copyright Holder
Computer History Museum
Category
Oral history
Subject
Rudkin, Thomas; Software; software industry; Intel Corporation; Bell Northern Research; VisiCorp; VisiOn; presentation software; Forethought, Inc.; PowerPoint; Microsoft
Collection Title
Oral history collection
Credit
Computer History Museum