Artifact Details

Title

Personal computer (PC) software workshop : VisiCalc

Catalog Number

102658146

Type

Document

Description

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.

Date

2004-05-06

Contributor

Ances, Carol Anne, Editor
Aspray, William, Historian
Bender, Eric, Participant
Bergin, Thomas (Tim), Historian
Bricklin, Daniel, Participant
Bride, Edward, Moderator
Brizdle, Barbara, Participant
Flystra, Dan, Participant
Frankston, Bob, Participant
Koblentz, Evan, Participant
Licklider,, Tracy, Participant
Loftus, Jack, Participant
O'Donald, Louise, Editor
Wasch, Ken, Participant

Publisher

Computer History Museum

Place of Publication

Needham, Massachusetts

Extent

32 p.

Category

Transcription

Subject

Bricklin, Dan; Frankston, Bob; Fylstra, Dan; Opdendyck, Terry; Melman, Richard; Kapor, Mitch; Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); Harvard Business School; WYSIWYG; VISICALC; Lotus 1-2-3; Apple II (computer); Software Arts; Personal Software (company); VisiCorp; VISION; Wozniak, Stephen Gary, 1950-; ComputerLand; Microsoft Corporation; Royalties; Lawsuits; VisiCalc advanced version; IBM PC; Software business history

Collection Title

Oral history collection

Credit

Software Industry Special Interest Group

Lot Number

X4276.2008