Richard Adams (inventor)
Encyclopedia
Richard Adams is an independent inventor
and engineer. Since building and demonstrating a video camera as a child, his work has often garnered media interest.
Although he did not invent, the fact that a child could build one cheaply drove home a point that made others desirous of this technology. It continued to be publicized by the Herald and other newspapers each time the camera made a public appearance.
, Adams created an interface and software to connect an electronic organ to a computer so he could record and playback entire musical scores with full polyphony.
, used to program his first computer game before going on to found Adventure International
, which became notable for its text adventure games (also known as Interactive Fiction
).
between 1976 and 1982, Adams gave demonstrations on the testing of Codecs and authored a paper on the subject.
to market and sell add-in boards that'd he invented for Atari
computer disk drives. These boards greatly increased the speed at which disks could be read and written to and remained popular for many years.
Independent inventor
An independent inventor is an inventor who creates inventions by himself. They often earn their income from selling or licensing the patents they get on their inventions.Independent inventors are distinguished from inventors who work for corporations...
and engineer. Since building and demonstrating a video camera as a child, his work has often garnered media interest.
TV camera
His first project was the construction of a video camera that he started building when he was ten years old and got working at age 12 in 1967. He worked entirely at home without the aid of his school. It originally gained coverage in the Miami Herald when he had enlisted the newspaper’s help to find a TV station that would help him tune the camera.Although he did not invent, the fact that a child could build one cheaply drove home a point that made others desirous of this technology. It continued to be publicized by the Herald and other newspapers each time the camera made a public appearance.
Music
In 1974, whilst attending Florida Institute of TechnologyFlorida Institute of Technology
Florida Institute of Technology, also known as Florida Tech, is an independent private technical research university located in Melbourne, Florida, United States. Founded in 1958 as Brevard Engineering College, the institute has been known by its present name since 1966. Florida Tech's curriculum...
, Adams created an interface and software to connect an electronic organ to a computer so he could record and playback entire musical scores with full polyphony.
Computer
Adams built an early 16 bit computer in his home which his brother, Scott AdamsScott Adams (game designer)
Scott Adams is the co-founder, with ex-wife Alexis, of Adventure International, an early publisher of games for home computers....
, used to program his first computer game before going on to found Adventure International
Adventure International
Adventure International was a computer game publishing company that existed from 1978 until 1985, started by Scott and Alexis Adams. Their games were notable for being the first implementation of the adventure genre to run on a microcomputer system...
, which became notable for its text adventure games (also known as Interactive Fiction
Interactive fiction
Interactive fiction, often abbreviated IF, describes software simulating environments in which players use text commands to control characters and influence the environment. Works in this form can be understood as literary narratives and as video games. In common usage, the term refers to text...
).
Codec testing
Whilst employed in Silicon ValleySilicon Valley
Silicon Valley is a term which refers to the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California in the United States. The region is home to many of the world's largest technology corporations...
between 1976 and 1982, Adams gave demonstrations on the testing of Codecs and authored a paper on the subject.
Happy Computers
In 1982, Adams founded Happy ComputersHappy Computers
Happy Computers was a small company producing disk drive enhancements for the Atari 8-bit and Atari ST computer families. Happy Computers is most noted for the add-in boards for the Atari 810 and Atari 1050 disk drives, which achieved a tremendous speed improvement for reading and writing, and for...
to market and sell add-in boards that'd he invented for Atari
Atari
Atari is a corporate and brand name owned by several entities since its inception in 1972. It is currently owned by Atari Interactive, a wholly owned subsidiary of the French publisher Atari, SA . The original Atari, Inc. was founded in 1972 by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney. It was a pioneer in...
computer disk drives. These boards greatly increased the speed at which disks could be read and written to and remained popular for many years.