Ben Gurley, Date of Birth, Date of Death

Ben Gurley

computer hardware pioneer

Date of Birth: 23-Dec-1926

Date of Death: 07-Nov-1963

Profession: engineer, computer scientist

Nationality: United States

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Ben Gurley (December 23, 1926 – November 7, 1963) was an important figure in the history of computing.
At MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Gurley designed the cathode ray tube display and light-pen of the TX-0.
In 1959 Gurley left Lincoln Labs for DEC; he was the designer of DEC's first computer, the PDP-1.Gurley died of a gunshot fired through a window in his home while eating dinner with his family.
A former co-worker from DEC was convicted of the crime.
This incident inspired acquaintance and author John Updike to write his popular novel "The Music School".