Artifact Details

Title

Tomlinson, Ray (Raymond) oral history

Catalog Number

102702118

Type

Document

Description

In this oral history BBN computer and networking pioneer Ray Tomlinson discusses his work history, beginning with early time-sharing systems, contributions to the creation of the TENEX operating system, and early messaging systems.

Tomlinson next discusses his early work in adapting email from timesharing systems to networks, including the adoption of the “@“ sign, at BBN and elsewhere. He talks about the spread of email in the early 1970s as a regular feature among ARPANET users, as well as its subsequent spread over various networked computer systems.

Tomlinson describes subsequent phases of his career at BBN including various Department of Defense/DARPA contracts to develop logistical planning tools, packet radio experiments with SRI, and later radio-based networking technologies.

Date

2009-06-05

Contributor

Hendrie, Gardner, Interviewer; Cameraperson
Tomlinson, Raymond (Ray), Interviewee
Weber, Marc, Interviewer

Publisher

Computer History Museum

Place of Publication

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Extent

28 p.

Format

PDF

Copyright Holder

Computer History Museum

Category

Transcription

Subject

Tomlinson, Raymond (Ray); BBN; Email, invention of; LISP; DEC; PDP-1 (Computer); DEC KA10; SDS 940 (Computer); TENEX; NCP (Network Control Program); Heart, Frank; Walden, David; ARPA; ARPANET; '@' symbol; Crocker, Dave; Cerf, Vint; Kahn, Robert; TCP/IP; Xerox PARC Alto; PicWin; DART; Pathfinder; TPFDD; UltraLog

Collection Title

Oral history collection

Lot Number

X5409.2009