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Where Are The Founders Of The Dial-Up Revolution?

Posted by simoniker on from the hayes-today-gone-tomorrow dept.

RIMBoy writes "The Atlanta Journal-Constitution recently tracked down the founders behind the dial-up modem revolution. The founders of Hayes Micromodem set the standard with their AT Command set. While Dennis Hayes finds himself inducted into the Computer Industry Hall of Fame, at the same time he is broke (with a stop as a bar owner) and trying to find the next big thing. Dale Heatherington cashed out early and has dedicated himself to several projects, including ham radio."

9 of 295 comments (clear)

  1. think about it.... by neo8750 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    what would our world be like this technology wouldn't of been explored and helped along the way. i highly doubt the internet would be where it is today let alone any other form of technology.

  2. well duh by rootofevil · · Score: 5, Insightful

    the revolutionaries never make any money. they care too much about their ideas to be hardassed enough to profit. its always the people who come around later that just see a business opportunity.

    --
    turn up the jukebox and tell me a lie
    1. Re:well duh by RealProgrammer · · Score: 3, Insightful

      For years and years, Hayes defined modem technology. Far from being "too hardassed to profit", they were too profit-oriented to meet the market. They failed to make their products cheap enough for the home user, so USRobotics and other clonemakers won the modem wars.

      --
      sigs, as if you care.
  3. Dale Heatherington by chroma · · Score: 5, Insightful
    I've met him a few times at Robot Battles, where we both compete. Dale is the only guy I know of who not only builds robots, but also:
    1. makes his own radio control system
    2. builds his own motor controllers
    3. winds his own motors
    --

    Your design to a real part online: Big Blue Saw
  4. Re:Funny how these people go in pairs... by Tackhead · · Score: 4, Insightful
    > The story was meant to be a sad reflection on Hayes-the-man, ended up making me feel good about being a geek.

    Hear, hear.

    Don't get me wrong, they're both hackers, and I'd be honored to buy either of 'em a beer. But the most inspirational thing of that article was seeing that Heatherington didn't just get out with the cash -- but that because he took the money and ran, and lived within his means, he's still hacking hardware for the sheer fun of it.

    Before I grow up, I wanna be like Heatherington.

  5. And for all the college boys by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    After reading some of the pompous replies in the recent Linux Certification topic, it's worth pointing out that Heatherington was not a 4-year CS major:

    The company was recruiting people with master's degrees and Ph.D.s. Heatherington had a two-year degree from a technical college. "I think he felt funny having that kind of horsepower looking to him for guidance," Hayes says.

    Keep that in mind when you sit there complaining about all us 'pseudo-engineers' that didn't have the cash to get a degree, but had the brains to make a difference in computing.

  6. Marriage is killing the guy by zymano · · Score: 5, Insightful

    He's not a millionaire anymore with ex-wives taking most of his income. Kind of sad. No wonder people aren't getting married anymore.

  7. Re:Funny how these people go in pairs... by hondo77 · · Score: 4, Insightful
    Agreed. Heatherington has now become my idol:

    While Hayes dreamed of empire, Heatherington dreamed of quitting.

    It's one of life's paradoxes that those who are most able to accumulate lots of $$ are those who are least able to enjoy it. It's nice to find someone who can enjoy it.

    --
    I live ze unknown. I love ze unknown. I am ze unknown.
  8. As they say... by arashiakari · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The pioneers get the arrows, the settlers get the corn.