Digital Equipment Corp. co-founder Ken Olsen dead at 84

by Steven Mostyn - Feb 9 2011, 05:43

The computer industry is in mourning following the sad news that Ken Olsen, co-founder of Digital Equipment Corp (DEC)., has died aged 84.

Olsen’s death was announced by Gordon College in Wenham, where Olsen served as a board member and had given his name to the college’s science centre.

“He was a major philanthropist who did his giving quietly, never seeking recognition or thanks,” commented fellow board member and former Raytheon chairman Tom Phillips.

“Ken’s many contributions to business, leadership and technological innovations were unmatched,” he added.

Founded in 1957, Digital Equipment Corp. quickly grew to become the second biggest ‘minicomputer’ maker in the United States—behind only IBM—and was a prominent force during the 1980s.

Olsen eventually withdrew from DEC in 1992 as the surging popularity of personal computers began eclipsing its business.

The ailing technology specialist was acquired by industry giant Compaq in 1998 for just short of $10 billion USD.

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