Origins & Early Life

Gary Arlen Kildall (; May 19, 1942 – July 11, 1994) was an American computer scientist and microcomputer entrepreneur. During the 1970s, Kildall created the operating system CP/M among other operating systems and programming tools, and subsequently founded Digital Research, Inc. to market and sell his software products. He is considered a pioneer of the personal computer revolution.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

In 1974 in Pacific Grove, California, Kildall demonstrated the first working prototype of CP/M, which would later become the dominant operating system for microcomputers for a time. Together with his invention of the BIOS (Basic Input Output System), his operating system allowed a microprocessor-based computer to communicate with disk storage. Kildall was among the earliest individuals to recognize microprocessors as fully capable computers. During the 1980s, Kildall also appeared on PBS as co-host of Computer Chronicles, a weekly informational program that discussed the latest developments in personal computing. Gary Arlen Kildall was born and grew up in Seattle, Washington, where his family operated a seamanship school.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

His father, Joseph Kildall, was a captain of Norwegian heritage....

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