Today you’ll find personal computers in almost every school, home, or office. But in 1979, when Mark Dean became an engineer for the computing company IBM, the personal computer was a revolutionary idea. A few companies had begun selling desktop computers for use at home. IBM wanted to release its own design. It launched a top secret project, with Dean as the chief engineer, to create a personal computer within one year. The IBM personal computer was released in 1981—and it was a huge success. Dean holds three of the nine patents, or rights to inventions, used in the device. One of Dean’s ideas for early personal computers—a way to easily connect external components, like printers—would become an industry standard. Dean also developed technologies like improved color graphics and microchips with extremely fast processing power that would change the world of personal computing.
Computer scientist Quincy Brown says that Dean’s work laid the foundations for later research and innovations. “I am inspired by his contributions and by knowing that I’m part of his legacy,” she says. Some of Brown’s research has focused on making it easier for people to interact with electronic devices. For example, she’s studied how people of different ages use touch screens to find ways to make the technology more user-friendly. She currently works at the White House National Space Council to develop policies that will help more young people get involved in space and STEM fields. “What I enjoy the most is being able to introduce students to computer science and seeing them then go off and do amazing things,” says Brown.