by Brian Dear
DalSanto, Bob. “The Wonderful World of PLATO.” DI, September 20, 1975, S-4, S-5.
Metcalfe, Bob. “Metcalfe’s Law: A Network Becomes More Valuable as It Reaches More Users.” Infoworld 17(40), October 2, 1995, 53.
Nelson. Computer Lib/Dream Machines, 93–95.
Pesman, C. “PLATO Games People Play.” DI, September 20, 1975, S-2, S-3.
Rheingold. Virtual Community.
Springer, P. G. “PLATO’s Retreatists: The Sordid World of the Computer Addict.” High Times, January 1982, 44–59.
UIUC Office of Public Information. Press release on NSF funding and 4,000-terminal PLATO IV, July 15, 1970. UIUC Archives.
———. Press release on upcoming PLATO IV system, April 20, 1971. UIUC Archives.
Wood, P. “Addiction! Late-Night Computer Craziness on Campus.” NG, December 13, 1986.
Unpublished Sources
Email correspondence with author: Barnett (1997, 2017); Carroll, M. (2010); McGee, A. (2005); Miller, N. H. (2004); Otto, A. (2001); Rankaitis (2003); Reichmann (2015); Rose, S. (2001); Schwager, M. (2003); Schwartz, R. (2005, 2007); Stawicki, R. (2001); Woodhead (1996, 1997, 2002, 2004).
Other Documents:
PLATO Past notesfile. CERL PLATO system. “Press Help,” June 9, 1977.
Public Notes notesfile. CERL PLATO system. “marriage” May 1, 1977; “Wedding,” January 9, 1981.
Public Notes notesfile, NovaNET system. “Another Couple?,” November 30, 1991, “NovaNET plays Cupid,” April 12, 1995.
PART III Getting to Scale
Epigraph
Roosevelt, T. Speech entitled “The Strenuous Life,” April 10, 1899. Reprinted on Voices of Democracy website. Retrieved 2016-09-09 from http://voicesofdemocracy.umd.edu/roosevelt-strenuous-life-1899-speech-text/.
Kahneman, D. “How to Be Amazing” podcast, hosted by Michael Ian Black, Episode 42. Retrieved 2016-12-29 from http://howtobeamazingshow.com/episodes/2016/10/12/episode-42-daniel-kahneman.
Frazier, C. Cold Mountain. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 1997, 380.
22. The Business Opportunity
Interivew Sources
Author interviews: M. Allen (1997, 2016); Alpert (2003a, 2003b); Donald Bitzer (1986, 1987, 2002, 2003); Borton and Martz (1997); Cole (2002); Fillman (1997); M. and S. Frishberg (1997); Glish (1997); Golden (2003); Hill (1997); Mark Johnson (2014); P. Maggs (1997); Morris (1997, 2007); Nordberg (1997); Norris (1986, 1997); Poulos (1997); Seidel (2015); Sherwood and Chabay (1997); Sides (1997); S. Smith (1997); Stifle (1997); Stubbs (2002); Tenczar (1986, 1987, 1997, 2003); Tripp (1997).
Other interviews: Bitzer (1975, 1982, 1984, 1988, 2002a, 2002b), Gallie (1990), Golub (1979); Molnar (1991); Norris (1986); Patton (2001); Price (2006, 2012).
Published Sources
Bitzer, D. “The Million Terminal System of 1985,” in R. J. Seidel and M. L. Rubin, eds., Computers and Communication: Implications for Education, proceedings of the Conference Computer Technology in Education for 1985 at Airlie House, Warrenton, VA, on September 15–18, 1975, New York: Academic Press, 1977, 59–70.
“Frustrating Warfare of Business,” Life, 62(10), May 5, 40–52.
Melton, M. PLATO Co-inventor Seeks Sidewalk Computers.” Urbana Courier, February 21, 1977.
Nader and Taylor. Big Boys, 449–503.
Nelson. Computer Lib/Dream Machines, 93–95.
Pantages, A. “Control Data’s Education Offering: ‘Plato Would Have Enjoyed PLATO.’ ” Datamation, May 1976, 183, 186–87.
“PLATO to Go Commercial.” DI, April 22, 1971, 8.
“Russia Interested in UI Computer.” NG, January 24, 1974.
“Russians Interested in PLATO Hook-up.” DI, January 24, 1974.
UIUC Office of Public Information. Press release describing CERL PLATO demo in Soviet Union, November 21, 1973. UIUC Archives.
U.S. Congress, House of Representatives, 95th Congress, First Session. Committee on Science and Technology. Computers and the Learning Society, No. 47. October 4, 6, 12, 13, 18, and 27, 1977, 154–83.
Unpublished Sources
Email correspondence with author: Cole, B. (1998, 2011); Dallas, A. (2002); Moe, R. (1997); Rizza, P. (2016); Robertson, P. (2002); Smith, M. (2002); Sherwood, B. (2016); Stawicki, R. (2001); Vernon, N. (2016); Warren, G. (1998, 2016, 2017).
Other Documents
Bitzer, D. Speech and PLATO demonstration given in Perth, Australia, 1976. Author’s transcript of Control Data Corporation video.
Dammeyer, J. “Some Notes on the History of CDC PLATO.” Handwritten memo, 1980. CBI-UM Series 33, Box 2, Folder 5.
Drygulch Help Lesson, screens captured by author, 1987–88.
Morris, R. “The Commercialization of PLATO: Random Thoughts and Notes.” Unpublished monograph, March 1982.
Rizza, P. “Peter Rizza and PLATO.” Unpublished essay, February 2016.
Stawicki, R. “John Dammeyer and PLATO.” Unpublished essay, May 2004.
Warren, G. “CDC PLATO—John Dammeyer.” Unpublished essay, December 2016.
23. The Whim of Iron
Interview Sources
Author’s Interviews: Borton and Martz (1997); Burson (2002); Campbell (2015); M. and S. Frishberg (1997); Ghesquiere (1997); Glish (1997); Harkrader (1997); Hansen (2016); Kaven (2003); Lacey (2015); C. Miller (1997); Morris (1997); Nordberg (1997); Price (1997); Rader (2001); Risken (2013); Sherwood and Chabay (1997); Siegel (1997); Stubbs (2002); Woolley (1997).
Other interviews: Bitzer (1984); Linsenman (1984); Price (2006, 2012).
Published Sources
Jensen, M. HR Pioneers: A History of Human Resource Innovations at Control Data Corporation. St. Cloud, MN: North Star Press, 2013.
Nader and Taylor. Big Boys, 449–503.
PLATO Homelink, software package. Control Data Publishing Company, 1984.
Unpublished Sources
Email correspondence with author: Allard, J. (2006); Harris, M. A. (2002); Kaven (2017); Kohlmiller, P. (2002); Peper, E. (2003); Porter, E. C. (2002, 2009, 2013); Quade, S. (2007); Rizza, P. (2016); Rothenberg, R. (2002); Samarias J. (2010); Sebby, P. (1997); Vernon, N. (2016).
Other Documents
Adkins, S. “PLATO experiences.” Personal communication, 2011.
Dammeyer, J. “Some Notes on the History of CDC PLATO.” Handwritten memo, 1980. CBI-UM Series 33, Box 2, Folder 5.
Rizza, P. “Peter Rizza and PLATO.” Unpublished essay, February 2016.
24. Diaspora
Interview Sources
Author’s Interviews: Gooch (1997); F. Hofstetter (1987); L. Hofstetter (1997); Lynch (1997).
Other interviews: Price, R. (2006, 2012).
Published Sources
Hofstetter, F. “Back to the Future of Educational Technology,” in Allen, e-Learning Annual, 59–82.
———. Computer Literacy for Musicians. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1988.
Price. Eye for Innovation, 190–208.
Worthy. William C. Norris, 83–106.
Unpublished Sources
Email correspondence with author: Graper (1997); Schucker, F. (2016); Scriven, M. (2003).
Other Documents
University of Delaware PLATO System Public Notes (=pbnotes=) notesfile, 1978–1986.
University of Delaware PLATO System UDNotes (=udnotes=) notesfile, 1982–86.
25. The Crash Pit
Interview Sources
Author’s interviews: Chung (2013); Geiger (2015); Lockard (1997, 2013); Poulos (1997).
Published Sources
Fregger, B. Lucky That Way: Stories of Seizing the Moment While Creating Games Millions Play. Austin, TX: Groundbreaking Press, 2009.
“Mahjong.” Wikipedia. Retrieved 2013-12-15 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahjong.
Reifkind, M. “The Best Pommel Horse Gymnast of All Time: Ted Marcy,” Rifs blog, 2010. Retrieved 2013-12-12 from http://rifsblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/best-pommell-horse-gymnast-of-all-time.html.
&
nbsp; Rep, J. The Great Mahjong Book. Rutland, VT: Tuttle Publishing, 2007.
Stone, A. “Gymnast Remains Paralyzed After December Accident.” Stanford Daily, 1980, 3.
Unpublished Sources
Email correspondence with author: Chung (2014); Fregger (2013, 2014); Lockard (1997, 2013, 2014); Marcy, T. (2013); Wright, G. (2014).
Other Documents
Lockard, B. Mah-Jongg PLATO lesson, 1983. Retrieved 2009-10-20 on Cyber1.org system.
Lockard, B., and W. Lockard. Edges lesson on CERL PLATO system, 1979. Retrieved 2013-12-09 on NovaNET system.
26. A Changing of the Guard
Interview Sources
Author’s Interviews: Berdahl (1997); Donald Bitzer (1986); Fillman (1997a, 1997b); Fleming (2009); Friedman (2003); C. Gardner (2015); K. Gardner (2002, 2015); Goldwasser (2002); Haken (1997a, 1997b); Harkrader (1997); J. and C. Kraatz (1997); Lyman (1986); Matheny (1997a, 1997b); Nordberg (1997); Norris (1986); Peltason (2002); Pondy (2002); Propst (1997a, 1997b, 2013); Siegel (1997a, 1997b); Smarr (2011); Tenczar (1986); Walker (2003). Several additional interviews were off the record.
Other interviews: Bitzer (1988).
Published Sources
Nader and Taylor. Big Boys, 449–503.
“Plato Learning, Inc.—Company Profile, Information, Business Description, History, Background Information.” Reference for Business. Retrieved 2016-12-16 from http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/62/Plato-Learning-Inc.html.
United States Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit (1994). Propst, B. and Propst, M. v. Bitzer, D. L., Weir, M. W., Leibman, J. S., and Berdahl, R. M., 39 F.3d 148, 95 Ed. Law Rep. 505. Nos. 93-3825, 93-3826. Retrieved 2016-11-19 from http://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/39/148/512186/.
Unpublished Sources
Email correspondence with the author: Burr (2002); Gunsalus (1997); Kannan, N. (2016); Michael, Mary (2003); Propst (1997, 2002, 2004, 2005); Scaletti, C. (2016).
Other Documents
Avner, A. “nova > cerl sys,” note posted to CERL Public Notes, PLATO system, Note 94, 1991-02-08.
———. “PLATO Leaves Hawaii.” A note posted in Public Notes announcing the shutdown of the PLATO system at University of Hawaii. Note 125, June 26, 1995.
Bitzer, D. Letter to Chancellor Thomas E. Everhart, March 8, 1987.
Frye, D. “Up,” note posted to CERL Public Notes, PLATO system, January 8, 1987.
Gormley, J. “A Fond Farewell.” A note posted amidst the final years of CERL when many were leaving the organization voluntarily or involuntarily, in Public Notes on NovaNET announcing her leaving her job of fifteen years at CERL. Several weeks’ worth of well-wishing responses followed. Then, on February 11, 1993, a month after her farewell note, a user replied announcing she had passed away suddenly from a burst aneurysm.
Jones, L. Posted a reply to a question raised in Public Notes about whether NovaNET was closing down. Jones said it was not. Note 58, response 1, March 29, 1993. She followed up with additional facts in Note 58, response 4, March 30, 1993.
———. Posted a response to a note in Public Notes amid continued swirling rumors about NovaNET’s demise announcing that “UIUC’s Vice Chancellor for Research, Chester S. Gardner, had decided to phase out the CERL lab, and have University Communications (UCI) assume NovaNET operations…” Note 99, response 4, July 2, 1993.
Kraatz, J. “JMK leaves,” a farewell note posted by Jim Kraatz after being at CERL since 1969. Note 115, August 5, 1993.
McGinty, B. “Transition,” a note posted in Public Notes on NovaNET announcing transition of NovaNET system operations and development from CERL to UCI, Note 104, July 20, 1993.
Milosevich, S. “Bitzer retires,” note posted in PLATO Past notesfile on CERL PLATO system, August 11, 1989, archiving a note posted by “jill/cerl” on August 13, 1989 publicizing a memo sent to “PLATO/NovaNET community” with the text of Bitzer’s retirement announcement.
Propst, F. Draft of an essay on PLATO as a new communications medium, 1983.
———. Letter to author, November 14, 002.
Zvilius, M., et al. “novanet,” Note posted in Pad notesfile, CERL PLATO system March 26, 1987.
Zvilius, M., L. Haken, and M. Walker. “Zephyr computer,” PLATO Past notesfile note and responses, CERL PLATO system, February 28, 1990 through April 8, 1991.
27. Leaving the Nest
Interview Sources
Author interviews: M. Allen (1997, 2016); B. and M. Fortner (1997); Halvorsen (1997); Horne (2016); Kapor (2003); Manzi (2003); Ozzie and Kawell (1997); J. Sherwood (2003); Tenczar (1986, 1987, 1997, 2003); Warner (1997); Woolley (1997); Yeager (2013a, 2013b).
Other interviews: Alfille (2000).
Published Sources
“Company News: Lotus Buying Developer of Its Notes Software.” New York Times, May 24, 1994. Retrieved 2016 from http://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/24/business/company-news-lotus-buying-developer-of-its-notes-software.html.
IBM Corporation. “The History of Notes and Domino.” Retrieved 2017-01-15 from http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/lotus/library/ls-NDHistory/.
Lammers. Programmers at Work, 175–89.
Maher, J. “Castle Wolfenstein.” The Digital Antiquarian blog, 2012. Retrieved 2016-10-10 from http://www.filfre.net/2012/04/castle-wolfenstein/.
———. “Making Wizardry.” The Digital Antiquarian blog, 2012. Retrieved 2016-10-20 from http://www.filfre.net/2012/03/making-wizardry/.
———. “The Wizardry and Ultima Sequels.” The Digital Antiquarian blog, 2012. Retrieved 2016-10-20 from http://www.filfre.net/2012/03/making-wizardry/.
Ozzie, Ray. “Speaking Mind to Mind.” Op-ed, New York Times, December 1, 2002.
UIUC Computer Science Department. “Bruce Artwick Is Still Flying.” Alumni News 1(6), Spring 1996, 10–11.
Unpublished Sources
Email correspondence with author: Alfille (2002); Baumann, K. (2003); Greenberg, A. (1996–1997); Gorback, M. (2003); Huben, M. (2005); Klass (2017); Maher, J. (2016); Morris (1997); O’Hara, M. J. (1997); Ozzie, R. (1997–2015); Platt, R. C. (2003); Sachs, J. (2003); Sides, D. (1997); Tenczar (2017); Woodhead, R. (1996, 1997, 2002, 2004); Zarnowski, P. (1997).
Other Documents
Ozzie, R. “First All-Hands September 1998 Groove Meeting PowerPoint Presentation.” 1998.
———. “Life Beyond Lotus.” Presentation at PC Forum 1991. New York: EDventure Holdings, 1991.
Epilogue
Interview Sources
Author’s interviews: Appleman (2002); Koller (2014); Thrun (2014).
Published Sources
Kingery et al. Men and Ideas, 164.
Nader and Taylor. Big Boys, 449–503.
Unpublished Sources
Email correspondence with author: Appleman, D. (2015, 2016).
Illustration Credits
1. Stephen A. Thompson, Campus Historic Preservation Officer, Department of Planning, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Facilities & Services
2. HUP Skinner, B. F. (16), olvwork223506. Harvard University Archives
3. Gift of B. F. Skinner, Division of Medicine & Science, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
4. Gift of B. F. Skinner, Division of Medicine & Science, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
5. Used with permission of the B. F. Skinner Foundation
6. UIUC Physics Department Archives
7. Courtesy of the University of Illinois Archives
8. Courtesy of the University of Illinois Archives
9. Courtesy of the University of Illinois Archives
10. Courtesy of the University of Illinois Archives
11. Courtesy of the University of Illinois Archives
12. Courtesy of the University of Illinois Archives
13. Urbana High School, 1962 Rosemary yearbook. Used with permission
14. Photo provided
by Carolyn Leeb
15. Courtesy of the University of Illinois Archives
16. Courtesy of the University of Illinois Archives
17. United States Patent and Trademark Office
18. Permission granted by The Ohio State University Archives
19. Permission granted by The Ohio State University Archives
20. Illustration by Brian Dear
21. Illustration by Brian Dear
22. Photo by Brian Dear
23. Photograph is used and reprinted with permission of The MITRE Corporation, copyright © 1975. All rights reserved.
24. University of Illinois, Board of Trustees
25. University of Illinois, Board of Trustees
26. University of Illinois, Board of Trustees
27. University of Illinois, Board of Trustees
28. Photo provided by Stu Umpleby
29. Used with permission of the Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette, 1974.
30. Photo courtesy of Chuck Miller and John Daleske
31. Photo by Brian K. Johnson, News-Gazette, Champaign, Illinois, 1986
32. Drawing by Ted Nelson. Used with permission.
33. Image courtesy of the Charles Babbage Institute, University of Minnesota Libraries, Minneapolis, Minnesota
34. Photo provided by Bob Morris
35. Photo provided by Bob Morris
36. Photo by Gary Brown, 2007
37. Photo provided by Bob Morris
38. Photo provided by Bob Morris
39. Photo provided by Bob Morris
40. Image courtesy of the Charles Babbage Institute, University of Minnesota Libraries, Minneapolis, Minnesota
41. Screen image provided by Bill Lynch
A Note About the Author
Brian Dear is a longtime tech start-up entrepreneur and founder of companies, including Coconut Computing, FlatWorks, Eventful, and Nettle. He has also worked at a variety of dot-com companies, including MP3 and eBay. He worked in the field of computer-based education for eight years, including five on the PLATO system. He has written for Educational Technology, BYTE, IEEE Expert, and the San Diego Reader. He lives with his wife in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
