A Pioneer Passes

Ken Olsen, cofounder of Digital Equipment Corp (DEC), died today. He was an entrepreneur. His contributions to the technology and computer industries were substantial and long lasting.  DEC was a high tech leader in building computers with (at the time) unheard of computing power and speed.  At one point, DEC had 125,000 employees.  He, along with others, helped create the infamous Massachusetts Route 128 also known as the High Tech Corridor. DEC was started in 1957 and purchased in 1998 by Compaq.  Mr. Olsen earned his degree at MIT and worked for the Office of Naval Intelligence He was part of the team at the Office of Naval Intelligence that developed a flight simulator.  It is worth taking a moment to remember a giant of the high tech industry and the long lasting impact of his work.