BG
The basics
Quick facts
Intro
Computer hardware pioneer
Gender:
Male
Places:
Work field:
Birth:
23 December 1926
Death:
7 November 1963
The details
Biography
Ben Gurley (December 23, 1926 – November 7, 1963) was an important figure in the history of computing. At Lincoln Labs, 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".