Robert M. Frankston (born June 14, 1949) is an American software engineer and businessman who co-created, with Dan Bricklin, the VisiCalc spreadsheet program. Frankston is also the co-founder of Software Arts.[1]

Bob Frankston
Born (1949-06-14) June 14, 1949 (age 75)
Alma materMassachusetts Institute of Technology (SB, MEng)
Known forCo-creator of VisiCalc

Early life and education

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Frankston was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from Stuyvesant High School in New York City in 1966. He earned a S.B degree in computer science and mathematics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, followed by a Master of Engineering degree in computer science, also from MIT.[2][3]

Career

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Following his work with Dan Bricklin, Frankston later worked at Lotus Development Corporation and Microsoft.[4]

Frankston became an outspoken advocate for reducing the role of telecommunications companies in the evolution of the Internet, particularly with respect to broadband and mobile communications.[5][6] He coined the term "Regulatorium" to describe what he considers collusion between telecommunication companies and their regulators that prevents change.[7][8]

Awards and recognition

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References

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  1. ^ Kenneth N. Gilpin; Todd S. Purdum (April 10, 1985). "Former Friendly Rivals Joining Forces at Lotus". The New York Times.
  2. ^ "Bob Frankston - bio". Retrieved 2007-10-31.
  3. ^ "Bob Frankston". CHM. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
  4. ^ John Markoff (March 11, 2005). "Microsoft Acquires PC Pioneer's Company". The New York Times.
  5. ^ Bob Frankston. The 2 Trillion Dollar Mistake. Presentation at Emerging Communications Conference 2008.
  6. ^ "Ambient Connectivity". Retrieved 2009-12-30.
  7. ^ "The Regulatorium and the Moral Imperative". Retrieved 2009-12-30.
  8. ^ Doc Searls. "The Infrastructure Dynamic". Retrieved 2009-12-30.
  9. ^ "Bob Frankston". Computer History Museum. Archived from the original on 2013-05-09. Retrieved 2013-05-23.
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