Dan Fylstra
Encyclopedia
Dan Fylstra is a pioneer of the software products industry. In 1975 he was a founding associate editor of BYTE Magazine. In 1978 he co-founded Personal Software. Personal Software became the distributor of a new program called VisiCalc
, the first widely used computer spreadsheet
. In his marketing efforts Fylstra ran teaser ads in Byte that asked, oddly enough for an entirely new product, "How did you ever do without it?"
The VisiCalc-Apple connection suggested the hypothesis of the "killer app" -- or the "software tail that wags the hardware dog." Once VisiCalc caught on, people came into computer stores asking for VisiCalc and then also the computer (the Apple II) they would need to run the program. VisiCalc sales exceeded 700,000 units by 1983.
Fylstra's software products company, later called VisiCorp
, was the #1 personal-computer software publisher in 1981 with $20 million in revenues as well as in 1982 with $35 million (exceeding Microsoft which became the largest such firm in 1983).
Fylstra is the former president of Sierra Sciences
, and is currently president of software vendor Frontline Systems. In 1998 he joined the Libertarian Party
.
VisiCalc
VisiCalc was the first spreadsheet program available for personal computers. It is often considered the application that turned the microcomputer from a hobby for computer enthusiasts into a serious business tool...
, the first widely used computer spreadsheet
Spreadsheet
A spreadsheet is a computer application that simulates a paper accounting worksheet. It displays multiple cells usually in a two-dimensional matrix or grid consisting of rows and columns. Each cell contains alphanumeric text, numeric values or formulas...
. In his marketing efforts Fylstra ran teaser ads in Byte that asked, oddly enough for an entirely new product, "How did you ever do without it?"
The VisiCalc-Apple connection suggested the hypothesis of the "killer app" -- or the "software tail that wags the hardware dog." Once VisiCalc caught on, people came into computer stores asking for VisiCalc and then also the computer (the Apple II) they would need to run the program. VisiCalc sales exceeded 700,000 units by 1983.
Fylstra's software products company, later called VisiCorp
VisiCorp
VisiCorp was an early personal computer software publisher. Its most famous products are VisiOn and VisiCalc.It was founded in 1976 by Dan Fylstra and Peter R. Jennings as Personal Software, and first published Jennings' Microchess program for the MOS Technology KIM-1 computer, and later Commodore...
, was the #1 personal-computer software publisher in 1981 with $20 million in revenues as well as in 1982 with $35 million (exceeding Microsoft which became the largest such firm in 1983).
Fylstra is the former president of Sierra Sciences
Sierra Sciences
Sierra Sciences, LLC is a biotechnology company founded by William H. Andrews, former director of molecular biology at Geron Corporation. Andrews founded Sierra Sciences in 1999 in Reno, Nevada with the goal of preventing and/or reversing cellular senescence, and ultimately curing diseases...
, and is currently president of software vendor Frontline Systems. In 1998 he joined the Libertarian Party
Libertarian Party (United States)
The Libertarian Party is the third largest and fastest growing political party in the United States. The political platform of the Libertarian Party reflects its brand of libertarianism, favoring minimally regulated, laissez-faire markets, strong civil liberties, minimally regulated migration...
.
External links
- Dan Fylstra - Libertarian from Advocates for Self-Government website
- Opening Pandora's Box: An Open Letter about the Politicization of the PC Industry by Dan Fylstra.
- http://www.computerhistory.org/revolution/personal-computers/17/305/1232 - Computer History MuseumComputer History MuseumThe Computer History Museum is a museum established in 1996 in Mountain View, California, USA. The Museum is dedicated to preserving and presenting the stories and artifacts of the information age, and exploring the computing revolution and its impact on our lives.-History:The museum's origins...
photo of Dan Fylstra with VisiOn and VisiCalc