"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home."
Ken Olsen, president, chairman and founder of Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) 1977
Ken Olsen made this statement in 1977. It now seems folly, although many people would probably have agreed with him at the time, especially those working with large mainframe computers as Olsen and DEC were. Apparently, Olsen said this to focus the minds of his workforce on the large computers DEC specialised in, rather than looking towards the small computers which were starting to become a possibility in the late 1970s. Taken out of context, it is easy now to laugh at such an incorrect prediction of what went on to happen.
Olsen founded DEC in 1957 and was revered throughout his working life for his management style and his engineering innovation. He is now retired. DEC was a pioneering computing company in the 1970s and 80s and its PDP and VAX products were among the most popular minicomputers.
Olsen founded DEC in 1957 and was revered throughout his working life for his management style and his engineering innovation. He is now retired. DEC was a pioneering computing company in the 1970s and 80s and its PDP and VAX products were among the most popular minicomputers.
