Computer Engineers

Paul T. Buchheit is a prominent American computer engineer and entrepreneur recognized for his pivotal role in creating Gmail and developing the original prototype of Google AdSense. He is credited with coining Google's former motto "Don't be evil" and was the 23rd employee to join Google after working at Intel. Following his time at Google, Buchheit co-founded FriendFeed, which was later acquired by Facebook. He then ventured into venture capital by becoming a partner at Y Combinator, where he invested in several successful startups. In 2011, Buchheit was honored with The Economist Innovation Award for his significant contributions to the computing and telecommunications industries.

Kevin Systrom is a successful American computer programmer and entrepreneur recognized for co-founding Instagram, a prominent photo-sharing platform, with Mike Krieger. Under his leadership as CEO, Instagram saw impressive growth, reaching 800 million monthly users by September 2017. Systrom played a key role in the app's success, leading to its acquisition by Meta Platforms for $1 billion in 2012. Today, Instagram has over one billion users and is a significant contributor to Meta Platforms' annual revenue, underscoring Systrom's influence in the tech industry.

Linus Torvalds is a renowned software engineer recognized for creating the Linux kernel and Git version control system. His significant contributions to the technology industry have earned him prestigious awards, including the Millennium Technology Prize in 2012 and the IEEE Computer Society Computer Pioneer Award in 2014. Torvalds' innovative work in open-source operating systems has greatly influenced the field of computer science, establishing him as a respected figure in the industry.

Ron Watkins, also known as CodeMonkeyZ, is an American figure linked to the far-right QAnon conspiracy theory. He was the former site administrator of 8kun and played a key role in promoting discredited theories, such as election fraud in the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Watkins has been associated with the belief that he may have connections to or information about the enigmatic figure "Q" in the QAnon movement. Despite resigning in November 2020, uncertainties persist regarding the legitimacy of his departure.

Hamza Bendelladj, also known as BX1 and the "Smiling Hacker," is an Algerian cybercriminal notorious for orchestrating a major cybercrime operation involving the SpyEYE Botnet in partnership with a Russian associate. The operation targeted financial institutions in the US and Europe, resulting in the theft of millions of dollars. Bendelladj's criminal activities have landed him on the most wanted lists of Interpol and the FBI, prompting a global pursuit lasting five years to apprehend him.

Tim Sweeney is a prominent American video game programmer and businessman who is best known for founding and leading Epic Games. As the CEO of the company, he has been instrumental in its success and expansion. Sweeney is also famous for his creation of Unreal Engine, a highly popular game development platform that has brought significant advancements to the industry. His innovative thinking and strong leadership have established him as a key figure in the realms of video games and technology.

Guido van Rossum, a well-known Dutch programmer, is famous for creating the Python programming language. He served as the "benevolent dictator for life" (BDFL) within the Python community until he voluntarily resigned in July 2018. Following his departure, he remained an active member of the Python Steering Council until 2019. Despite not participating in the 2020 election, van Rossum's contributions to the programming world through Python continue to be highly influential.

John McAfee was a British-American computer programmer and businessman who created the first commercial anti-virus software in 1987 under McAfee Associates. He later criticized his own products, advising users to uninstall the anti-virus software he developed. McAfee founded companies like Tribal Voice, QuorumEx, and Future Tense Central, and held leadership roles in others. He was also active in smartphone apps, cryptocurrency, and other ventures before encountering legal issues and passing away in 2021.

Zoë Quinn is an American video game developer, programmer, and writer who rose to prominence for creating the interactive fiction game Depression Quest in 2013. Their involvement in the 2014 Gamergate controversy, sparked by a blog post from an ex-partner, garnered widespread attention. This led to Quinn facing intense online harassment, including doxing and threats of violence. In 2015, Quinn co-founded Crash Override, a support center for those dealing with online harassment, highlighting their commitment to fighting abuse in the digital space.

Marc Andreessen is a prominent American businessman and former software engineer known for his significant contributions to the tech industry. He co-authored Mosaic, the first widely-used web browser with a graphical user interface, co-founded Netscape, and established the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. Additionally, he founded and later sold Opsware to Hewlett-Packard, co-founded Ning, a platform for social networking websites, and is recognized in the World Wide Web Hall of Fame. With an estimated net worth of $1.7 billion, Andreessen remains a key figure in the world of technology and entrepreneurship.

Margaret Hamilton is a renowned American computer scientist known for her pioneering work in software engineering. As director of the Software Engineering Division at MIT, she played a key role in developing on-board flight software for NASA's Apollo program. Hamilton later founded two successful software companies in Cambridge, Massachusetts. With over 130 publications and significant contributions to various projects, she coined the term "software engineering" to highlight its unique role within systems engineering. Her remarkable accomplishments were acknowledged with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016.

Toby Fox is a highly regarded American video game developer and composer, best known for his work on the widely praised role-playing game Undertale. He is also the creator of Deltarune, a project that has received significant acclaim. Initially recognized for his music composition, which included work on Homestuck, Fox has since broadened his scope to compose for several independent games. His skills have led to collaborations on soundtracks for popular titles such as Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Pokémon games, establishing his reputation in the industry.

Garrett Camp is a well-known Canadian businessman, investor, and software engineer recognized for his significant contributions to technology. He co-founded the successful search engine StumbleUpon and played a pivotal role in establishing Uber, a revolutionary transportation network company. With a solid foundation in software engineering, Camp has been a driving force in shaping the digital realm and fostering innovation in the tech sector. Currently based in Los Angeles, his career is distinguished by a dedication to spearheading projects that have transformed how we interact with and leverage technology.

Bobby Murphy, a Filipino-American Internet entrepreneur and software engineer, is renowned for co-founding Snap Inc. (formerly Snapchat Inc.) along with Evan Spiegel and Reggie Brown at Stanford University. Serving as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Snap Inc., Murphy has been instrumental in the growth and achievements of the multinational technology company. His impact has led to recognition in Time's list of 100 most influential people and Forbes' ranking as the world's second-youngest billionaire.

Jonathan Ive is a celebrated British-American designer recognized for his influential tenure at Apple Inc. He contributed significantly to designing iconic products such as the iMac, iPod, iPhone, and Apple Park after joining Apple in 1992. Ive held key positions at Apple, including senior vice president of industrial design and chief design officer until 2019. His innovative designs have garnered him several awards, including being named a Royal Designer for Industry and receiving a knighthood. Ive departed from Apple to establish his own design firm and later collaborated on Ferrari vehicles with the Agnelli family.

Sid Meier is a prominent figure in the video game industry, recognized for his work as a businessman and computer programmer. He played a key role in co-founding MicroProse in 1982 and later Firaxis Games in 1996. Meier is best known as a programmer, designer, and producer of popular strategy and simulation games, particularly the Civilization series. He currently serves as the Director of Creative Development at Firaxis Games and has been honored for his contributions to the industry with induction into the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame.

Greg Gianforte is an American businessman, politician, and software engineer. He co-founded RightNow Technologies, a successful customer relationship management software company that was later acquired by Oracle Corporation. Gianforte served as the U.S. representative for Montana's at-large congressional district before becoming the 25th governor of Montana in 2021. He has been reelected multiple times and is known as the first Republican governor of Montana since 2005.

Daniel Paul Fredinburg was a distinguished American Google executive known for his passion for environmental causes, technology, and exploration. He played a vital role in advancing Google's projects and initiatives while also championing awareness about climate change through his explorations of remote regions. His entrepreneurial endeavors were driven by a desire to create a positive impact on society and the environment.

George Hotz, also known as geohot, is an American security hacker, entrepreneur, and software engineer recognized for developing iOS jailbreaks and reverse engineering the PlayStation 3. He gained fame following a lawsuit filed against him by Sony. Hotz subsequently founded comma.ai, a company specializing in vehicle automation and machine learning. Recently, he has been involved in developing tinygrad, a deep learning framework. Hotz's career is characterized by his pioneering work in hacking, software development, and artificial intelligence.

Peter Molyneux is a well-known English video game designer and programmer who has created popular titles such as Populous, Dungeon Keeper, Black & White, Theme Park, the Fable series, Curiosity: What's Inside the Cube?, and Godus. In 2012, he founded 22cans, a prominent video game development studio. Molyneux's contributions to the gaming industry have been widely recognized, with IGN including him in their list of the top 100 game creators of all time in 2009. His innovative game designs and storytelling have had a lasting impact on the gaming community.

Evan Williams is a well-known American technology entrepreneur recognized for co-founding Twitter, where he held roles as CEO and board member. He is also the creator of Blogger and Medium, both prominent blogging platforms. In 2014, Williams co-founded Obvious Ventures, a thriving venture capital firm. His contributions have played a pivotal role in shaping online communication and content creation. With a strong focus on innovation and a history of establishing successful tech enterprises, Williams remains influential in the industry.

Brendan Eich is an American computer programmer and technology executive recognized for inventing the JavaScript programming language. He played a key role in establishing the Mozilla project, the Mozilla Foundation, and the Mozilla Corporation. Initially serving as the chief technical officer of the Mozilla Corporation, Eich later assumed the position of chief executive officer. Following his resignation amid a dispute regarding his stance on same-sex marriage, he co-founded Brave Software and now leads the company as its CEO.

Shawn Fanning is an American computer programmer, entrepreneur, and angel investor recognized for creating Napster, a groundbreaking peer-to-peer file sharing platform in 1999. Despite legal issues that resulted in the closure of Napster in 2001, Fanning remained active in the tech industry, making significant contributions. He went on to invest in and work with several early-stage technology startups, demonstrating his entrepreneurial drive and dedication to innovation.

Tim Schafer, an influential American video game designer, is renowned for establishing Double Fine Productions subsequent to his tenure at LucasArts. He has gained acclaim for his work on games such as Full Throttle, Grim Fandango, Psychonauts, Brütal Legend, and Broken Age. Schafer was a co-designer of Day of the Tentacle and provided assistance on The Secret of Monkey Island and Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge. His exceptional storytelling and comedic writing style have earned him industry recognition, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Game Developers Choice Awards and a BAFTA Fellowship for his valuable contributions.

Christopher Vincent Metzen is a renowned American game designer, artist, voice actor, and author recognized for his significant contributions to Blizzard Entertainment's popular franchises: Warcraft, Diablo, and StarCraft. Starting as an animator and artist at Blizzard, he advanced to the role of Senior Vice President of Story and Franchise Development. Metzen lent his voice to memorable characters such as Thrall and played a pivotal part in character design. Following his retirement in 2016, he returned as a creative advisor and was named executive creative director of Warcraft in 2023. Additionally, he collaborated on graphic novels with other talented creators.

Richard Allen Garriott is a renowned video game developer, entrepreneur, and private astronaut of British descent who is best known for creating the influential Ultima game series. He played a key role in developing all eleven main installments of the series. In 2009, Garriott founded the video game development company Portalarium, where he held positions as CEO and creative director for Shroud of the Avatar: Forsaken Virtues until 2018. Additionally, he made a journey to the International Space Station in 2008 as a private astronaut aboard the Soyuz TMA-13 mission, making him the second space traveler with a parent who had also been an astronaut.

Ed Boon is a successful American video game programmer, voice actor, and director who has had a career spanning over 15 years at Midway Games before joining Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and NetherRealm Studios. He is known for co-creating the popular Mortal Kombat series with John Tobias and the Injustice series. Boon's contributions to the gaming industry have earned him recognition as one of the top 100 game creators of all time by IGN in 2009. His innovative work continues to have a significant impact on the world of video games.

Douglas Engelbart was an American engineer and inventor known for his major contributions to computer science. He is credited with establishing the field of human-computer interaction and is most famous for inventing the computer mouse, pioneering hypertext, networked computers, and graphical user interfaces. In 1968, he showcased groundbreaking demonstrations known as "The Mother of All Demos" while working at the Augmentation Research Center. Despite encountering obstacles related to funding and lack of interest in his later years, Engelbart persistently advocated for his vision through the Bootstrap Institute.

Tommy Rettig was a versatile American talent known for his work as a child actor, computer software engineer, and author. He rose to prominence for portraying "Jeff Miller" in the popular Lassie TV series, showcasing his acting skills in various television shows and films. Beyond acting, Rettig explored the music industry by recording songs with The TR-4. He also delved into computer software engineering, highlighting his versatility and creativity in different professional fields.

Jonathan Blow is a renowned American video game designer and programmer. He is best known for developing the independent games Braid and The Witness. Blow began his journey in game programming during middle school and pursued studies in computer science and English at UC Berkeley before leaving to establish his own game company. His breakout success came with the release of Braid in 2008, after which he went on to establish Thekla Inc. to work on The Witness. Notably, Blow's dissatisfaction with C++ led him to create his own programming language, Jai. His games are celebrated for their artistic nature, challenging gameplay, and use of custom game engines.

Anthony Michael Fadell is a distinguished American engineer, designer, entrepreneur, and investor known for his significant contributions at Apple Inc., particularly in the development of the iPod, where he earned the title "father of the iPod." He also played a vital role in the creation of the iPhone, overseeing its hardware, firmware, and accessories development. In 2010, Fadell co-founded Nest Labs, where he introduced innovative products such as the Nest Learning Thermostat. With over 300 patents, he is widely recognized as one of the most influential figures in the tech industry.

Edmund McMillen is a well-known American video game designer and artist celebrated for his unique visual styles in Adobe Flash games. He rose to fame with creations such as the side-scroller Super Meat Boy in 2010, the roguelike game The Binding of Isaac in 2011, and its 2014 remake, The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth. McMillen's career demonstrates a dedication to groundbreaking game design, challenging industry norms with his distinct artistic flair and captivating gameplay.

Hans Thomas Reiser is an American computer programmer and entrepreneur famous for creating the ReiserFS computer file system and establishing Namesys in 2004 to manage the development of ReiserFS and its successor, Reiser4. Despite his professional success, Reiser's career was marred by his conviction for the murder of his wife, Nina Reiser, in 2008. His significant contributions to the Linux kernel with ReiserFS have been notable, although the file system is expected to be discontinued by 2025.

Ray Tomlinson revolutionized email communication by implementing the first email program on the ARPANET system in 1971. His use of the @ sign to separate user names from machine names allowed messages to be sent between users on different hosts. This innovation led to a fundamental shift in communication methods and earned him a place in the Internet Hall of Fame. Tomlinson is also credited with inventing the TCP three-way handshake, a critical element of various Internet protocols.

Bill Joy is a notable American computer engineer and venture capitalist who co-founded Sun Microsystems in 1982. Serving as Chief Scientist and CTO until 2003, he made significant contributions to the early development of BSD UNIX and created the vi text editor. His essay "Why The Future Doesn't Need Us" raised concerns about modern technologies. In recognition of his achievements in operating systems and networking software, Joy was elected as a member of the National Academy of Engineering in 1999.

Andrew Gower, a British video game developer, is renowned for co-founding Jagex Limited and creating the widely popular MMORPG RuneScape. He played a pivotal role in the development and early success of RuneScape, leveraging his computer science background to contribute to different facets of game design and development. Gower's significant contributions to the gaming industry are evident through his enduring impact on RuneScape and Jagex Limited.

Ian Murdock was a respected American software engineer known for his valuable contributions to the open-source community. He was the founder of the Debian project, a highly influential Linux distribution, and went on to create Progeny Linux Systems, a prosperous commercial Linux company. Murdock's knowledge and guidance in software development were essential in shaping the Linux operating system. His lasting impact serves as a source of inspiration for developers and organizations in the open-source software sector.

Ward Cunningham, an American computer programmer, is well-known for creating the first wiki and co-authoring the Manifesto for Agile Software Development. He is a pioneer in design patterns and extreme programming, having developed the WikiWikiWeb in 1994 and integrated it into his consultancy's website in 1995. Cunningham co-wrote "The Wiki Way" with Bo Leuf and also invented the Framework for Integrated Test. He has served as a keynote speaker at numerous wiki conferences and summits, playing a significant role in advancing software development practices.

Ze Frank is a prominent American online performance artist, composer, humorist, and public speaker based in Los Angeles. He is renowned for his creative and interactive projects on the internet, which blend humor, creativity, and social commentary. Ze Frank has produced a diverse array of online content that captivates audiences across different digital platforms. His work showcases his versatility and influence in the online entertainment sector.

Rob Pike is a renowned programmer and author recognized for his substantial impact on the technology industry. His notable contributions to the field include the development of the Go programming language at Google and the Plan 9 operating system at Bell Labs. Pike is highly regarded for pioneering the first window system for Unix, securing a US patent for overlapping windows on computer displays, and co-authoring influential programming books with Brian Kernighan. His collaboration with Ken Thompson led to the creation of the widely adopted UTF-8 character encoding.

Bram Cohen, an American computer programmer, is well-known for inventing the peer-to-peer (P2P) BitTorrent protocol, which transformed file sharing. He played a pivotal role in co-founding CodeCon and coordinating P2P-hackers gatherings in the San Francisco Bay Area. Cohen also collaborated on Codeville and created the Chia cryptocurrency, which introduced the groundbreaking proof of space-time consensus algorithm. His remarkable contributions in the tech sector highlight his prowess in pioneering technologies and dedication to propelling the realm of computer science forward.

Joel Spolsky is a well-known software engineer and writer recognized for his impactful blog, Joel on Software. He has played a key role in the tech industry by developing the widely-used project management tool, Trello. Spolsky has a rich career history, having served as a Program Manager at Microsoft Excel, founding Fog Creek Software, and introducing Stack Overflow, a popular programmer Q&A platform. His ongoing contributions have greatly influenced software development, particularly in the realm of online knowledge sharing through the Stack Exchange Network.

Kai-Fu Lee is a Taiwanese entrepreneur and computer scientist located in Beijing, China. He created a speaker-independent, continuous speech recognition system while pursuing his Ph.D. at Carnegie Mellon University. Lee has held leadership roles at prominent tech companies such as Apple, SGI, Microsoft, and Google. Following his tenure as Google China's president, he established Sinovation Ventures, a venture capital firm. Lee is highly regarded in the Chinese internet industry for his work in AI, education, and analysis of China's progress in artificial intelligence.

Amit Singhal is a highly accomplished professional recognized for his substantial contributions to Google Inc. As a senior vice president and Google Fellow, he led the Search team for an impressive 15-year period. Singhal was instrumental in shaping Google's search technology and algorithms, which have influenced how users access information online. His expertise and leadership have been crucial in helping Google maintain its position as a top global search engine, showcasing his significant impact on the company's success and digital innovation.

Mike Harrington is a renowned American programmer and businessman who co-founded Valve, a leading video game company. He played a significant role in the success of Valve's first product, Half-Life, before departing in 2000 to explore other opportunities. Harrington later co-founded the photo editing service Picnik and established Catnip Labs with a colleague. He has held executive positions in tech companies such as Google and Committee for Children, demonstrating his expertise in technology and business management.

David Lance Arneson played a significant role in shaping the world of gaming by co-developing Dungeons & Dragons with Gary Gygax in the early 1970s. He introduced key elements like cooperative storytelling and diverse adventuring environments. Arneson's passion for wargaming inspired him to create Blackmoor, the precursor to D&D. Despite disagreements over recognition and compensation, he remained a dedicated contributor to the gaming community as an independent designer and educator until his passing in 2009.

Eric S. Raymond, also known as ESR, is a respected American software developer, open-source software advocate, and author. He is best known for his influential essay and book "The Cathedral and the Bazaar," as well as a guidebook for the Roguelike game NetHack. In the 1990s, he played a key role in editing and updating the Jargon File, later released as "The New Hacker's Dictionary." Raymond's contributions have made a lasting impact on the software development community, especially in the realm of open-source software.

Jacob Appelbaum is an American independent journalist, computer security researcher, artist, and hacker. He was a core member of the Tor Project until resigning amidst sexual abuse allegations. Appelbaum collaborated with Edward Snowden on confidential documents and has partnered with organizations such as Der Spiegel and WikiLeaks. He has showcased his art globally and has ties with numerous artists. Despite denying the allegations, some supporters question the due process, and the incident has affected the online privacy advocacy community.

Bill Hewlett co-founded the Hewlett-Packard Company (HP) with David Packard and played a crucial role in building it into a leading technology company. He focused on developing HP's engineering and research capabilities, especially in electronic testing and measurement equipment. Hewlett emphasized collaboration and employee well-being, contributing to HP's reputation for excellence in technology and workplace practices.

Patrice Désilets is a renowned Canadian game designer known for his influential work in the gaming industry. He is best known as the creative mind behind the popular Assassin's Creed series, where he served as creative director on multiple titles. Désilets has also played a key role in the success of other hit games like Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. In 2014, he established Panache Digital Games, a studio through which he has continued to demonstrate his creative talent with projects like Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey.

Josh Sawyer, a renowned American video game designer, has made substantial contributions to the realm of role-playing video games. He is known for his mastery and innovation in creating immersive gaming experiences. Over the course of his career, spanning multiple successful projects, Sawyer has cemented his position as a prominent figure in the industry. His creations showcase a profound comprehension of game design fundamentals and a dedication to providing captivating gameplay. Through his diverse roles and recognized pseudonyms, Sawyer has made a lasting impression on the field of video game development.

Milton Bradley, an American business magnate and game pioneer, founded a renowned enterprise that revolutionized the board game industry. His innovative game development and marketing strategies led to the success of iconic games that are still enjoyed today. Although his company was acquired by Hasbro in 1984 and closed in 1998, Bradley's legacy endures through the lasting popularity of the games he helped create.

Andy Gavin is a notable American video game programmer, entrepreneur, and novelist. He was a co-founder of the well-known video game company Naughty Dog in 1986, alongside his childhood friend Jason Rubin. Gavin played a crucial role in creating popular games like Crash Bandicoot and Jak and Daxter. Prior to his successful journey with Naughty Dog, he acquired valuable experience working in LISP at the MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. Gavin's innovative work in the gaming industry has established him as a skilled and influential figure.

Benjamin Swann is an American television news anchor and investigative journalist known for his work at network affiliates like FOX and RT America. He gained attention for his Reality Check news segment, covering controversial topics and presenting conspiracy theories. While praised for some interviews and reports, Swann faced criticism for promoting false conspiracy theories like Pizzagate, resulting in his dismissal from a CBS affiliate in Atlanta.

Peter Norton is a successful American programmer, software publisher, author, and philanthropist. He established Peter Norton Computing in 1982, focusing on creating innovative utilities software for IBM PC compatibility. The software business was eventually acquired by Symantec Corporation in 1990. Norton is known for writing computer books and creating programs bearing his name and image. He has also been engaged in philanthropic activities, including chairing Acorn Technologies and eChinaCash, as well as donating art to museums and universities.

Larry Wall is a highly accomplished American computer programmer, linguist, and author known for his major contributions to software development. He is best known for creating the Perl programming language, a versatile tool extensively utilized in web development and system administration. Wall is also credited with inventing the patch tool, which streamlines the process of managing and implementing changes to computer files. His groundbreaking work in programming languages and software tools has left a lasting impact on the industry, establishing him as a trailblazer in technology.

Tom Hall is a prominent American game designer known for his significant contributions to the gaming industry. He is recognized for his work with id Software on popular titles like Doom, Wolfenstein 3D, and Commander Keen. Hall, along with John Romero, co-founded Ion Storm and was instrumental in the design and production of Anachronox. Additionally, he played a key role in the development of the highly acclaimed game Deus Ex. Hall's innovative designs and creations have made a lasting impact on the gaming world.

Jordan Mechner is a versatile professional with a significant impact on the video game industry. He is renowned for his roles as a video game designer, graphic novelist, author, screenwriter, filmmaker, and former video game programmer. Mechner is credited with developing cinematic video games and advancing animation techniques in the industry. Some of his notable creations include the martial arts game Karateka and the platform game Prince of Persia. He has been honored with awards such as the GDC Pioneer Award for his contributions and has created innovative interactive narrative experiences like The Last Express. Additionally, Mechner's graphic novels have received critical acclaim.

Peiter C. Zatko, also known as Mudge, is an American network security expert, open source programmer, writer, and hacker. He was a prominent member of the L0pht hacker think tank and the Cult of the Dead Cow hacking cooperative. Throughout his career, Mudge has been actively involved in disclosing security vulnerabilities, particularly in areas such as buffer overflow, code injection, race condition, side-channel attack, and cryptanalysis. He has contributed significantly to security advisories and software development, including the creation of L0phtCrack. Mudge has held positions at DARPA, Google, Twitter, and is currently employed at the security consulting firm Rapid7.

Ian Livingstone is a well-known English fantasy author and entrepreneur recognized for his co-founding of the successful role-playing gamebook series Fighting Fantasy with Steve Jackson. He played a vital role in the establishment of Games Workshop in 1975 and later contributed significantly to the gaming industry by assisting in the creation of Eidos Interactive as the executive chairman of Eidos Plc in 1995. Livingstone is highly regarded in the industry for his influential contributions to fantasy literature and gaming.

Jamie Zawinski, also known as jwz, is a renowned American computer programmer, blogger, and impresario. He is recognized for his notable contributions to the tech industry, particularly for his involvement in developing significant software like Netscape Navigator, Netscape Mail, Lucid Emacs, Mozilla.org, and XScreenSaver. In addition to his programming achievements, Zawinski is the owner of DNA Lounge, a popular nightclub and live music venue in San Francisco. His career path showcases a successful and influential journey in the realms of technology and entertainment.

Tim Paterson, an American computer programmer, is recognized for his creation of 86-DOS, the predecessor of MS-DOS, a prominent operating system during the 1980s. Paterson's career included roles at Seattle Computer Products and Microsoft, where he played a key role in developing operating systems like MSX-DOS. Additionally, he established Falcon Technology and Paterson Technology. Paterson had multiple tenures at Microsoft, contributing to projects like Visual Basic. Beyond his professional work, he participated in BattleBots and competed in rally car races in the SCCA Pro Rally series.

Charles Darrow, an American board game designer, is famous for creating the widely popular board game Monopoly. His invention of Monopoly paved the way for a fruitful collaboration with Parker Brothers, who took on the game's publication. Darrow's creative game design and strategic approach brought about a significant transformation in the board game sector, establishing Monopoly as a global household favorite. His contributions have provided endless entertainment and mental stimulation to players of various ages, cementing his reputation as a trailblazer in the realm of board games.

Paul Baran was an American engineer who made significant contributions to the development of computer networks. He was one of the pioneers of packet switching, a technology that laid the groundwork for data communications in computer networks worldwide. Baran's work extended beyond this, as he went on to establish multiple companies and played a key role in the advancement of various technologies essential to modern digital communication systems. His legacy continues to influence the field of networking and communication technology.

Radia Perlman is an accomplished American computer programmer and network engineer celebrated for her revolutionary contributions to internet technology. She is best known for inventing the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), earning her the title "Mother of the Internet." Perlman's innovative work has transformed network design, facilitating self-organization and efficient data transfer. She holds multiple patents and has received prestigious accolades, including induction into the Internet Hall of Fame and the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Perlman's development of the TRILL protocol also propelled advancements in Ethernet technology.

Fabrice Bellard is a well-known French computer programmer who has made significant contributions to software development. He is best known for creating popular programs like FFmpeg, QEMU, and the Tiny C Compiler. Bellard also developed Bellard's formula, a method for calculating individual digits of pi. Alongside Franck Spinelli, he co-founded the telecommunications company Amarisoft. Bellard's work showcases his programming expertise and his strong influence on the technology sector.

Greg Kroah-Hartman is a respected figure within the Linux community renowned for his significant contributions as a kernel developer and maintainer. He plays a pivotal role in managing crucial aspects of the Linux kernel, including the -stable branch, staging subsystem, USB, driver core, debugfs, kref, kobject, sysfs subsystems, Userspace I/O, and TTY layer. Moreover, he has led various notable projects such as linux-hotplug, udev, and the Linux Driver Project. Transitioning from Novell's SUSE Labs to the Linux Foundation in 2012, he continues to make a significant impact within the open-source realm.

Jeff Minter, also known as Yak, is a renowned English video game designer and programmer. He founded Llamasoft software house and has been creating games since 1981. Minter's games typically focus on shoot 'em ups and incorporate animal-themed elements like llamas and camels. His creations often include psychedelic features, such as the "light synthesizer" programs. Some of his notable works include Neon for Xbox 360, as well as titles like Gridrunner, Attack of the Mutant Camels, Tempest 2000, and Polybius.

Sandy Petersen is a prominent American game designer known for his work at various influential companies. His career began at Chaosium, where he played a key role in developing RuneQuest and creating the acclaimed horror RPG Call of Cthulhu. Petersen later joined id Software, contributing to the development of the iconic Doom franchise and Quake. He also made significant contributions to the Age of Empires series while working at Ensemble Studios. Petersen's diverse portfolio showcases his talent and expertise in the gaming industry.

Krishna Bharat is a respected research scientist recognized for his significant contributions at Google Inc. He was instrumental in the creation of Google News, a platform that compiles news articles from a wide array of sources globally. Bharat has also been active in launching and offering guidance to startups focused on visual search and interest-based search engines that leverage Machine Learning technologies. Furthermore, he played a key role in setting up Google's Research and Development center in India and serving on the boards of esteemed journalism programs.

Alan Cooper is a renowned American software designer and programmer recognized as the "Father of Visual Basic." He established Cooper, a leading interaction design consultancy, where he created the Goal-Directed design methodology and promoted the utilization of personas in developing high-tech products. Cooper authored influential books on interaction design and software usability, including About Face and The Inmates Are Running the Asylum. His pioneering contributions to interaction design and the development of the visual development environment in Visual BASIC led to his induction into the Computer History Museum's Hall of Fellows.

Bill Atkinson is a renowned American computer engineer and photographer recognized for his significant contributions to the computing industry. He spent over a decade working at Apple Computer, from 1978 to 1990. Atkinson is known for pioneering technologies like Macintosh QuickDraw, Lisa LisaGraf, Marching ants, double-click functionality, Menu bar, selection lasso, MacPaint (FatBits), HyperCard, Atkinson dithering, and the PhotoCard app. His innovative work has transformed the computing field and has had a lasting impact on software development and user interface design.

Jenova Chen, also known as Xinghan Chen, is a highly acclaimed Chinese video game designer. He co-founded Thatgamecompany and serves as the company's creative director. Chen has designed award-winning games like Cloud, Flow, Flower, and Journey, which have garnered critical and commercial success. With a background in computer science and digital art, he aims to create games that evoke emotional responses in players and contribute to the maturation of video games as a medium. Chen's focus is on developing innovative and universally appealing games through his independent studio.

Xeni Jardin is a well-known American weblogger, digital media commentator, and tech culture journalist with an extensive career spanning various media outlets including Wired Magazine, Wired News, and National Public Radio. She is highly regarded for her influential contributions to Boing Boing as well as her appearances as a guest technology news commentator on major television networks. In addition to her work in journalism, Jardin has ventured into television and radio, and has been actively involved in advocacy work focusing on healthcare and press freedom.

Michael Abrash is a renowned American programmer and technical writer recognized for his proficiency in code optimization and graphics, with a focus on IBM PC compatibles. His expertise was highlighted during his time at id Software, where he worked on the rendering technology for the game Quake in the mid-1990s. Abrash is also known for his contributions to programming literature, including the influential "Zen of Assembly Language Volume 1: Knowledge." Since 2014, he has held the position of chief scientist at Oculus VR, playing a key role in the advancement of virtual reality technology.

Mark E. Dean is an accomplished American inventor and computer engineer recognized for his major advancements in personal computers and computer processors. He spearheaded the development of a one-gigahertz computer processor chip and was instrumental in the creation of the IBM personal computer in 1981. Dean holds numerous patents in the field of PC technology and became the first African-American IBM Fellow in 1995. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and has delved into pioneering ideas like handheld media devices and tablet computers.

Wael Ghonim is a prominent Internet activist and computer engineer who played a key role in the Egyptian Revolution of 2011. He gained global attention when he was detained by Egyptian authorities for 11 days, during which he was questioned about his involvement in managing the Facebook page "We are all Khaled Said". Ghonim is renowned for his book Revolution 2.0 and is the founder of Tahrir Academy, a tech-focused NGO dedicated to advancing education in Egypt. Additionally, he co-founded Parlio, a social media platform that was later acquired by Quora, and currently holds a position as a non-resident senior fellow at Harvard's Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation.

David Braben is a well-known British video game developer and designer who founded Frontier Developments and serves as its President. He is celebrated for co-creating the popular Elite series of space trading video games in 1984. Braben is also a co-founder and trustee of the Raspberry Pi Foundation, a non-profit organization that launched an affordable computer for educational use in 2012. His career is marked by significant contributions to the gaming industry and a dedication to advancing technology in education.

Ankit Fadia is an Indian computer expert, writer, and TV presenter. He is recognized for his claim to be a white-hat hacker, specializing in OS and networking advice, tricks, and proxy sites. Nevertheless, his professional standing has suffered due to multiple allegations of embellishment, contested accomplishments, and charges of plagiarism. Fadia has encountered backlash and mockery from the security sector, with his qualifications being challenged and his hacking accomplishments being discredited by numerous publications.

An Wang was a Chinese-American computer engineer and inventor who co-founded Wang Laboratories, a company renowned for its word processing machines. He played a pivotal role in advancing magnetic-core memory technology and became a prominent figure in the industry due to his expertise and commitment to innovation. Wang's contributions at Wang Laboratories were instrumental in shaping the field of computing technology, particularly in the development of computer systems and memory storage solutions.

Rob Pardo is a prominent American video game designer known for his successful career in the gaming industry. He held key roles at Blizzard Entertainment, such as Chief Creative Officer and Executive Vice President of game design. Pardo is widely recognized for his lead design work on World of Warcraft, a highly successful MMORPG. In 2016, he founded Bonfire Studios with substantial financial support, underscoring his ongoing influence in the gaming industry.

John Resig is a successful American software engineer and entrepreneur known for creating and leading the development of the jQuery JavaScript library. In his current position as the chief software architect at Khan Academy, he remains a key figure in the technology field, making notable contributions. With extensive experience in software development and a history of innovation, Resig is instrumental in shaping the technology industry and pushing its boundaries.

Andrew Coyne is a distinguished Canadian columnist recognized for his contributions to The Globe and Mail and as a panelist on CBC's The National At Issue segment. He has held roles such as national editor at Maclean's and columnist at the National Post. Coyne is esteemed for his perceptive commentary and analysis on a range of topics, making a substantial impact on public discourse in Canada through his writing and television appearances.

Phil Katz was a well-known computer programmer known for co-creating the ZIP file format and developing PKZIP, a widely-used program for creating zip files on DOS systems. His software business garnered considerable success, though it faced a copyright lawsuit with System Enhancement Associates. Towards the end of his life, Katz encountered difficulties including social isolation and alcoholism. Nevertheless, his advancements in data compression technology have left a lasting mark on the tech industry.

Theo de Raadt is a well-known software engineer recognized for his leadership in developing OpenBSD and OpenSSH projects. He also played a significant role in founding NetBSD. De Raadt's contributions to the field have earned him accolades, such as the Free Software Award in 2004 for his work on OpenBSD and OpenSSH. His expertise and commitment to open-source software have established him as a respected figure in the industry.

Jason "Jace" Hall, an American film, television, and video game producer, is known for his leadership in various entertainment projects. He co-founded Monolith Productions and currently serves as the CEO of Twin Galaxies, a platform for record-keeping. Hall has produced and appeared in shows such as The Jace Hall Show and The Morning After, and has been involved in web series and music videos. He also explored music through a remix collaboration with Debbie Gibson. In addition to his work in entertainment, Hall has held executive positions in esports organizations including Echo Fox and the H1Z1 Pro League.

Blake Ross is a notable American software engineer known for his co-creation of the Mozilla Firefox internet browser with Dave Hyatt. His accomplishments include a nomination for Wired magazine's top Rave Award, Renegade of the Year in 2005, as well as being featured on Rolling Stone magazine's hot list in the same year. In 2007, Ross joined Facebook as Director of Product, a position he maintained until his resignation in early 2013. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a keen focus on software development and product management within the technology sector.

Jay Wright Forrester was a prominent American computer engineer, management theorist, and systems scientist known for his significant contributions in various fields. Throughout his career at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), he played a key role in the development of the Whirlwind digital computer project and the invention of magnetic core memory. As a professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management, Forrester introduced the Forrester effect and established the field of system dynamics. His research primarily revolved around simulating interactions within dynamic systems, spanning industrial, urban, and global dynamics.

Jonathan Gillette, also known as why the lucky stiff, was a versatile individual celebrated for his impact on the Ruby programming language community. As a writer, cartoonist, artist, and programmer, he distinguished himself through his innovative methods of teaching programming and captivating presentations. He was recognized as a prominent figure within the Ruby community, standing alongside other esteemed programmers. Although he vanished mysteriously in 2009, his legacy lives on through his inspirational work, with his colleagues safeguarding his writings and projects. In 2012, his website briefly resurfaced, providing a glimpse into his future aspirations.

David Jay is a prominent American asexual activist recognized for establishing the Asexual Visibility and Education Network (AVEN). Serving as the webmaster of AVEN, he has been instrumental in raising awareness and fostering understanding of asexuality. Jay's efforts have elevated AVEN as a leading asexual community online, particularly in the age of social media. Through his activism and guidance, he has advanced the visibility and education of asexuality, offering individuals a platform to seek support and connect within the AVEN network.

Scott Guthrie is the Executive Vice President of the Cloud and AI group at Microsoft. He oversees teams responsible for delivering a wide range of products and services including Microsoft Azure, Dynamics 365, Visual Studio, GitHub, and more. With a degree in computer science from Duke University, Guthrie joined Microsoft in 1997 and has since made significant contributions to technologies like ASP.NET. Known for his signature red shirt and frequent appearances at Microsoft conferences, he is a respected figure in the tech industry for his leadership and innovation.

Éric Chahi is a well-known French computer game designer and programmer recognized for his work on iconic titles like Another World (Out of This World) and Heart of Darkness. His innovative approach to game design and storytelling has garnered international acclaim in the gaming industry. Chahi's creations are known for their distinctive visual style, immersive gameplay, and emotional depth, leaving a lasting impact on the world of video games and inspiring generations of game developers globally.

Brian Behlendorf is an American technologist and computer programmer known for his significant contributions to the open-source software movement. He was a key developer of the Apache Web server and a founding member of the Apache Software Foundation. Over the years, he has held various leadership roles in organizations such as the Mozilla Foundation, Benetech, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Behlendorf has also been involved in founding businesses dedicated to web development and collaborative software tools. Additionally, he has been recognized for his innovations in technology, particularly in blockchain and open-source security.

Emily Graslie is a notable American science communicator and YouTube educator recognized for her contributions to "The Brain Scoop" and the Crash Course YouTube channel. She started her career as a volunteer at the Philip L. Wright Zoological Museum and later became part of the Nerdfighter network following an appearance in a VlogBrothers video. Graslie has hosted educational content for the Big History series and served as the Field Museum's Chief Curiosity Correspondent, establishing herself as a leading figure in the field of science communication and education.

Dan Bricklin is an accomplished American businessman and engineer known for co-creating VisiCalc, the pioneering spreadsheet program, with Bob Frankston. He founded Software Garden, Inc., and Trellix, and has served as the chief technology officer of Alpha Software. Bricklin authored the book "Bricklin on Technology" in 2009, showcasing his expertise in the field. His contributions to the development of VisiCalc have earned him the title of "the father of the Spreadsheet" and recognition as a key figure in the technological advancement of the computer industry.

Dave Winer is a prominent American software developer, entrepreneur, and writer based in New York City. He is well-known for his significant contributions to outliners, scripting, content management, web services, blogging, and podcasting. Winer has founded successful software companies such as Living Videotext, Userland Software, and Small Picture Inc. Additionally, he has worked as a contributing editor for HotWired, managed the Scripting News weblog, and held research positions at esteemed institutions like Harvard Law School and New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute.

Justin Frankel is an American computer programmer renowned for his contributions to digital media technology. He gained fame for developing the Winamp media player and creating the Gnutella peer-to-peer network. As the founder of Cockos Incorporated, he oversees the development of various music production software tools including the REAPER digital audio workstation, NINJAM collaborative music tool, and Jesusonic effects processor. Recognized as a top innovator, Frankel was honored in the TR100 list for his groundbreaking work in the industry.

Monte Cook is a prominent American tabletop role-playing game designer and writer renowned for his contributions to Dungeons & Dragons. With a distinguished career, he has left a significant impact on the gaming industry. Cook's innovative designs and creative storytelling have garnered widespread acclaim among gamers worldwide. His work reflects a deep understanding of game mechanics and immersive storytelling, setting a high standard for the industry. Cook's professional journey continues to inspire and influence the world of tabletop gaming with his imaginative creations and visionary approach.

Bradley Joseph Fitzpatrick is a well-known American programmer recognized for his creation of LiveJournal and contributions to various influential free software projects. Some of his notable works include memcached, PubSubHubbub, OpenID, and Perkeep. Fitzpatrick has significantly impacted the tech industry with his innovative projects, shaping the online platform and service landscape. His expertise and commitment to open-source software have established him as a skilled programmer and respected figure in the software development community.

Jordan Weisman is an accomplished American game designer, author, and serial entrepreneur with a diverse professional background. Having founded five game design companies across various genres and industry segments, he has made significant contributions to the gaming world. Weisman's innovative approach to game development has earned him a reputation as a pioneering figure in the industry. With a career marked by creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, he continues to influence and shape the gaming landscape through his work and ventures.