Menu
10/09/2012
British Designer Of First Laptop, Bill Moggridge, Dies Aged 69
British industrial designer Bill Moggridge, credited with designing an early portable computer with the now common flip-open design, has died aged 69.
The Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum said Moggridge, its director since 2010, died on Saturday from cancer.
Moggridge is credited with the design of the Grid Compass, a computer with a keyboard and a yellow-on-black display, which sold for $8,150 (£5,091) when it was released in 1982. Encased in magnesium, it was used by the US military and made its way into outer space aboard the shuttle Discovery in 1985.
Although there were many portable computers being developed at the time, Grid Systems Corp won the patent for the clamshell design with a foldable screen hinged toward the back of the machine, said Alex Bochannek, a curator at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California.
Moggridge pushed for this foldable design when he realised the flat-panel screen, keyboard and circuitry could fit snugly together.
"In terms of the industrial design of the enclosure, Moggridge was instrumental in proposing that," Bochannek said. "He came up with that particular form factor."
(H)
The Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum said Moggridge, its director since 2010, died on Saturday from cancer.
Moggridge is credited with the design of the Grid Compass, a computer with a keyboard and a yellow-on-black display, which sold for $8,150 (£5,091) when it was released in 1982. Encased in magnesium, it was used by the US military and made its way into outer space aboard the shuttle Discovery in 1985.
Although there were many portable computers being developed at the time, Grid Systems Corp won the patent for the clamshell design with a foldable screen hinged toward the back of the machine, said Alex Bochannek, a curator at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California.
Moggridge pushed for this foldable design when he realised the flat-panel screen, keyboard and circuitry could fit snugly together.
"In terms of the industrial design of the enclosure, Moggridge was instrumental in proposing that," Bochannek said. "He came up with that particular form factor."
(H)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
03 June 2004
Air traffic chaos in UK as computer fails
A one-hour failure of the main air traffic control computer system has led to massive delays at Britain's airports. When the National Air Traffic Services (Nats) computer system failed, all take-offs scheduled after 7am this morning had to be delayed.
Air traffic chaos in UK as computer fails
A one-hour failure of the main air traffic control computer system has led to massive delays at Britain's airports. When the National Air Traffic Services (Nats) computer system failed, all take-offs scheduled after 7am this morning had to be delayed.
09 October 2012
Experts Urge Limiting Screen Time For Children
Experts have called for the amount of time children spend in front of screens to be limited in an effort to stave off development and health problems. Leading psychologist Dr Aric Sigman says children of all ages are watching more screen media than ever, and starting earlier.
Experts Urge Limiting Screen Time For Children
Experts have called for the amount of time children spend in front of screens to be limited in an effort to stave off development and health problems. Leading psychologist Dr Aric Sigman says children of all ages are watching more screen media than ever, and starting earlier.
02 July 2014
Call For An End To GCHQ's Exploitation Of Network Infraastructure
Seven internet service and communications providers from around the world have filed a legal complaint, calling for an end to GCHQ's attacking and exploitation of network infrastructure in order to unlawfully gain access to potentially millions of people’s private communications.
Call For An End To GCHQ's Exploitation Of Network Infraastructure
Seven internet service and communications providers from around the world have filed a legal complaint, calling for an end to GCHQ's attacking and exploitation of network infrastructure in order to unlawfully gain access to potentially millions of people’s private communications.
07 September 2010
Millions Await Tax Error Letters
Millions of taxpayers are waiting to discover if they received a letter from HM Revenue and Customs telling them that they have paid the incorrect amount of income tax. Around 4.3 million people have paid too much through the PAYE (Pay As You Earn) and will be entitled to a rebate, worth an average of £420, but 1.
Millions Await Tax Error Letters
Millions of taxpayers are waiting to discover if they received a letter from HM Revenue and Customs telling them that they have paid the incorrect amount of income tax. Around 4.3 million people have paid too much through the PAYE (Pay As You Earn) and will be entitled to a rebate, worth an average of £420, but 1.
05 March 2009
RAF Helicopter Delays 'Could Have Put Lives At Risk'
An eight-year hold-up in getting new Chinook helicopters has cost millions of pounds and could have put lives at risk, a report has concluded. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has been criticised by MPs for failing to bring the eight helicopters - which were ordered 14 years ago - into service.
RAF Helicopter Delays 'Could Have Put Lives At Risk'
An eight-year hold-up in getting new Chinook helicopters has cost millions of pounds and could have put lives at risk, a report has concluded. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has been criticised by MPs for failing to bring the eight helicopters - which were ordered 14 years ago - into service.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
