Computer History Museum

Personal computer (PC) software workshop : VisiCalc

The three principals in the development and publishing of VisiCalc, the first electronic spreadsheet, came together for the first time in 20 years for this workshop. Dan Bricklin and Bob Frankston of Software Arts start by discussing what influenced them in designing what was to become VisiCalc. Dan Fylstra of Personal Software discusses how he came to believe in the software publishing model. The three of them discuss why the Apple II was selected as the target computer and then talk about the difficulties in dealing with the retail channel of distribution. Finally they talk about the attempts to merge the two companies and what ultimately led to mutual lawsuits.

Item Details

Date
2004-05-06 (Made)
Type
Document
Catalogue number
102658146
Organization
Computer History Museum
People
Thomas (Tim) Bergin (Historian)
Louise O'Donald (Editor)
Ken Wasch (Participant)
Jack Loftus (Participant)
Tracy Licklider (Participant)
Evan Koblentz (Participant)
Barbara Brizdle (Participant)
Eric Bender (Participant)
Dan Flystra (Participant)
Carol Anne Ances (Editor)
Bob Frankston (Participant)
Edward Bride (Moderator)
Daniel Bricklin (Participant)
William Aspray (Historian)
Category
Transcript
Credit line
Software Industry Special Interest Group
Extent
32 p.
Place of publication
USA/MA/Needham
Language
English
Acquisition number
X4276.2008
Subject
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), IBM PC, ComputerLand, WYSIWYG, Harvard Business School, Apple II (Computer), Software Business History, Lotus 1-2-3, Software Arts, VisiCorp, VISION, VISICALC, Personal Software (company), Microsoft Corporation
Archive collection
Oral history collection
Archive hierarchy
CHM Oral History Collection