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Where Are The Founders Of The Dial-Up Revolution?
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."
I worked at Hayes in the 1980s.
The atmosphere was absolutely electric. Dennis (Hayes) and Dale (Heatherington) were polar opposites but each had a unique take on the industry at the time.
Dennis' assistant, Henry Tuber, always had a witty joke that the EEs would end up spitting out their coffee over. That sense of humor was razor sharp.
It's because of this we could overlook Henry's penchant for anal fisting.
One day in early '82, we were having a design meeting. Designers from the board through the firmware were there. Well, in walks Henry wearing nothing but leather chaps and an arm-length rubber glove. Naturally we all laughed, thinking that this was just another Hayes/Heatherington/Tuber practical joke. We all laughed until we cried.. all expect Henry, that is.
Henry jumped on the boardroom table, then went on all fours. One couldn't help but notice a cable eminating from his anus with an RS-232 plug on the one end. "Yank Me" was written on the cable head.
Doug Stephens, one of the EEs I worked with, reached over and pulled. A good 6 feet of serial cable came out of Henry's anus then it went taught. "Pull harder!" cried Henry. Doug pulled at the cable hard, Henry's anus was distended and small vessels on it were bursting. Suddenly a loud pop echoed and a metallic box attached to the end of the cable flew out, striking Doug on the chin. Wiping the sweat from his brow, Henry smiled and said quietly"I present to you our latest design: 1200 baud!"
This modem was our best seller and made me a millionaire many times over.
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Where are the founders of the dial-up revolution? They're still trying to connect with their 2400 baud modems. Be patient, they'll be here and contributing to the conversation by the end of the day, once the carrier screech indicates handshake.
Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
I'd love $20M over 10 years. I'd quit, too, and go do something more personally rewarding.
But some people are the Hayes and can't imagine what they'd do if they weren't doing what they're doing.
Not me, $20M and out sounds good to me.