Abbey Silverstone
Encyclopedia
Abbey Silverstone is a very early member of the computer development family with a 50-year career in the computer industry that included time as VP of operations of Silicon Graphics
(SGI).
Silverstone has a BS
in Industrial Administration from the University of Illinois where, as a student, he worked with the IBM 650
in the registration and grading process. After a successful athletic fencing
career which included three years as an all-American and representation of Canada
internationally, he relocated to California
. In 1973, while at Xerox Corp.
, he played an important role in the development of, and production of, the first corporate networked office. This Xerox (PARC) developed network included the first personal computer
s (Alto
), the first high speed monochrome laser printer
s, the first color laser printer, and the first Ethernet
-based corporate-wide electronic network. In 1977, a complete network modeled on the Xerox network was installed in President Jimmy Carter
’s White House.
In 1981, Mr Silverstone provided Xerox with the packaging design for the first commercial workstation
the Xerox Star 8010
. In 1982 Jim Clark
and Silverstone, along with some graduate students from Stanford University
, founded Silicon Graphics. Mr Silverstone provided and managed the Operations Division until 1988 when he began a consulting career.
Silverstone became President and Chief Executive Officer
of Netsol Technologies
in 1999.
In 2000, he assumed the CEO
role with Multacom, a trans-pacific telecommunications company which connected Mainland China
, the USA and Taiwan
.
He has served on several boards in the USA and China. While maintaining his interest in technology he is now a semi-retired advisor to newly-formed companies.
Silicon Graphics
Silicon Graphics, Inc. was a manufacturer of high-performance computing solutions, including computer hardware and software, founded in 1981 by Jim Clark...
(SGI).
Silverstone has a BS
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in Industrial Administration from the University of Illinois where, as a student, he worked with the IBM 650
IBM 650
The IBM 650 was one of IBM’s early computers, and the world’s first mass-produced computer. It was announced in 1953, and over 2000 systems were produced between the first shipment in 1954 and its final manufacture in 1962...
in the registration and grading process. After a successful athletic fencing
Fencing
Fencing, which is also known as modern fencing to distinguish it from historical fencing, is a family of combat sports using bladed weapons.Fencing is one of four sports which have been featured at every one of the modern Olympic Games...
career which included three years as an all-American and representation of Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
internationally, he relocated to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. In 1973, while at Xerox Corp.
Xerox
Xerox Corporation is an American multinational document management corporation that produced and sells a range of color and black-and-white printers, multifunction systems, photo copiers, digital production printing presses, and related consulting services and supplies...
, he played an important role in the development of, and production of, the first corporate networked office. This Xerox (PARC) developed network included the first personal computer
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
s (Alto
Xerox Alto
The Xerox Alto was one of the first computers designed for individual use , making it arguably what is now called a personal computer. It was developed at Xerox PARC in 1973...
), the first high speed monochrome laser printer
Laser printer
A laser printer is a common type of computer printer that rapidly produces high quality text and graphics on plain paper. As with digital photocopiers and multifunction printers , laser printers employ a xerographic printing process, but differ from analog photocopiers in that the image is produced...
s, the first color laser printer, and the first Ethernet
Ethernet
Ethernet is a family of computer networking technologies for local area networks commercially introduced in 1980. Standardized in IEEE 802.3, Ethernet has largely replaced competing wired LAN technologies....
-based corporate-wide electronic network. In 1977, a complete network modeled on the Xerox network was installed in President Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
’s White House.
In 1981, Mr Silverstone provided Xerox with the packaging design for the first commercial workstation
Workstation
A workstation is a high-end microcomputer designed for technical or scientific applications. Intended primarily to be used by one person at a time, they are commonly connected to a local area network and run multi-user operating systems...
the Xerox Star 8010
Xerox Star
The Star workstation, officially known as the Xerox 8010 Information System, was introduced by Xerox Corporation in 1981. It was the first commercial system to incorporate various technologies that today have become commonplace in personal computers, including a bitmapped display, a window-based...
. In 1982 Jim Clark
James H. Clark
James H. Clark is an American entrepreneur and computer scientist. He founded several notable Silicon Valley technology companies, including Silicon Graphics, Inc., Netscape Communications Corporation, myCFO and Healtheon...
and Silverstone, along with some graduate students from Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
, founded Silicon Graphics. Mr Silverstone provided and managed the Operations Division until 1988 when he began a consulting career.
Silverstone became President and Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of Netsol Technologies
Netsol Technologies
-History:NetSol Technologies, Inc. was founded in the year 1995 by three brothers; Salim Ghauri, Najeeb Ghauri, and Naeem Ghauri, each of whom was an accomplished professional in his own right...
in 1999.
In 2000, he assumed the CEO
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
role with Multacom, a trans-pacific telecommunications company which connected Mainland China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, the USA and Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
.
He has served on several boards in the USA and China. While maintaining his interest in technology he is now a semi-retired advisor to newly-formed companies.
External links
- Abbey Silverstone, ZoomInfoZoomInfoZoomInfo is a vertical search engine focused on people, companies, and the relationships among them.-Overview:Zoom Information Inc. was founded by Jonathan Stern in 2000 as Eliyon Technologies. The company’s investors include Venrock Associates and Vulcan Capital.The site powers people searches for...