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Title: Gary Boone papers
Identifier/Call Number: X6996.2014
Contributing Institution:
Computer History Museum
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
42.75 Linear feet,
31 record cartons and 1 oversize box
Date (inclusive): 1967-2014
Abstract: The Gary Boone papers focus on microprocessor inventor Gary Boone's work as a chip designer, primarily as it pertains to patents
on which he was named. While employed at Texas Instruments, Boone worked on two pioneering chips: the TMX-1795 and the TMS-0100.
While the collection contains little information about Boone's work designing chips at TI, it holds significant material related
to lawsuits over microprocessor patents, on which Boone often served as an expert witness. In addition to professional material,
the Gary Boone papers include some personal documents such as correspondence, diaries, and journals, as well as A/V materials,
software, oversized drawings, and photographs.
creator:
Boone, Gary, 1945-2013
Collection surveryed by Rita Wang, 2016.
An inventory of collection contents was created by a colleague/friend of the donor. To view the CHM catalog record and inventory
for the Gary Boone papers, please search the CHM catalog at
www.computerhistory.org/collections/search.
The collection is open for research. However, the collection may require review by CHM staff before viewing.
The Computer History Museum (CHM) can only claim physical ownership of the collection. Users are responsible for satisfying
any claims of the copyright holder. Requests for copying and permission to publish, quote, or reproduce any portion of the
Computer History Museum's collection must be obtained jointly from both the copyright holder (if applicable) and the Computer
History Museum.
[Identification of Item], [Date], Gary Boone papers, Lot X6996.2014, Box [#], Computer History Museum.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift in memory of Gary Boone, 2014.
Gary Boone was a microprocessor inventor and patent expert. Boone was born April 8, 1945 in Canton, Ohio. He received his
electrical engineering degree in 1967 from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. He worked at a number of companies including
Collins Radio in Iowa, Texas Instruments in Houston, Lintronix in Cupertino, Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, and United Technologies
Microelectronics Center in Colorado Springs before ultimately starting his own company, Micro Methods, in 1982, working as
a consultant on patent projects and design projects.
While at Texas Instruments, Boone worked in the then-new field of MOS design creating custom chips for industrial customers,
primarily calculator companies. His work at TI resulted in two pioneering chips: the TMX-1795, the world's first 8-bit microprocessor,
and the TMS-0100, the first single chip microcontroller. Due to his contributions, Boone is listed as inventor on many fundamental
microprocessor and microcontroller patents. Because Boone was named on most of the TI patents, he became involved in patent
lawsuits, defending old TI patents as a source of revenue for TI. Later, he worked as an expert witness in patent litigation.
Boone passed away December 12, 2013 at age 68 from pneumonia as a complication of Lewy Body Dementia.
Scope and Content of the Collection
The Gary Boone papers consist of microprocessor inventor Gary Boone's professional and personal documents. This collection
focuses on Boone's work as a chip designer, primarily as it pertains to patents as well as litigation surrounding patents
on which he was named. For example, this collection contains information on the legal battles between Gary Boone and Los Angeles
engineer and inventor Gilbert Hyatt. This collection does not include Boone's files from when he worked at TI designing chips.
In addition to professional material, the Gary Boone papers include some personal documents such as correspondence, diaries,
and journals. While the majority of this collection is composed of text materials, there are also A/V materials (VHS tapes),
software (floppy disks, cassette tapes, CDs), oversized drawings, and photographs.
Physical objects were separated from the main collection. To view catalog records for separated material, search the CHM catalog
at
www.computerhistory.org/collections/search.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Microcontrollers.
Microprocessors.
Patents.
Texas Instruments Incorporated.