Lee Felsenstein | |
|---|---|
 Felsenstein in Berkeley in 2010 | |
| Born | April 27, 1945 |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Computer Engineering |
| Institutions | Osborne Computer Corporation, Interval Research Corporation, Pemstar Pacific Consultants |
| Website | www |
Lee Felsenstein (born April 27, 1945) is an American computer engineer who played a central role in the development of personal computers. He was one of the original members of the Homebrew Computer Club and the designer of the Osborne 1, the first mass-produced portable computer.
Before the Osborne, Felsenstein designed the Intel 8080 based Sol-20[1] computer from Processor Technology, the PennyWhistle[2][3] modem, and other early "S-100 bus" era designs. His shared-memory alphanumeric video display design, the Processor Technology VDM-1 video display module board, was widely copied and became the basis for the standard display architecture of personal computers.
Many of his designs were leaders in reducing costs of computer technologies for the purpose of making them available to large markets. His work featured a concern for the social impact of technology and was influenced by the philosophy of Ivan Illich. Felsenstein was the engineer for the Community Memory project, one of the earliest attempts to place networked computer terminals in public places to facilitate social interactions among individuals, in the era before the commercial Internet.
- ^ Marsh, Robert M.; Lee Felsenstein (July 1976). "Build SOL, An Intelligent Computer Terminal". Popular Electronics. Vol. 10, no. 1. Ziff Davis. pp. 35–38.
- ^ Felsenstein, Lee (March 1976). "Build the Pennywhistle – The Hobbyist's Modem". Popular Electronics. Vol. 9, no. 3. Ziff Davis. pp. 43–50.
- ^ Hawkins, William J.; Orlando Guerra (May 1978). "Computer add-ons – kits you build for your home unit". Popular Science. Vol. 212, no. 5. pp. 64–68. ISSN 0161-7370.