Guide to the Thomas J. O'Rourke collection
Finding aid prepared by Adrienne Harling and Sara Chabino Lott
Processing of this collection was made possible through generous funding from the Computer History Museum’s Software Industry
Special Interest Group.
Computer History Museum
1401 N. Shoreline Blvd.
Mountain View, CA, 94043
(650) 810-1010
research@computerhistory.org
August 2016
Title: Thomas J. O'Rourke collection
Identifier/Call Number: X3105.2005
Contributing Institution:
Computer History Museum
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
4.13 Linear feet,
1 record carton, 1 manuscript box, 1 half manuscript box, 2 periodicals boxes, 3 volumes, 1 oversize folder
Date (bulk): Bulk, 1960-1990
Date (inclusive): 1950-1997
Abstract: The Thomas J. O’Rourke collection includes business records pertaining to O’Rourke’s work at Tymshare, a corporation he co-founded,
the General Electric Company (GE), and to the computer services industry as a whole. There is an emphasis on internal company
communications such as memoranda, employee newsletters, employee reunion documentation, and stock value information. Most
materials pertain to Tymshare. Materials span the years 1950 to 1997.
creator:
O'Rourke, Thomas J.
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
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.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of Item], [Date], Thomas J. O’Rourke collection, Lot X3105.2005, Box [#], Folder [#], Catalog [#], Computer
History Museum.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Thomas J. O’Rourke’s son,Tim O’Rourke, 2005.
Processing Information
Doug Jerger of the Software History Center inventoried this collection in April of 2004 as part of the donation process. His
inventory included descriptive notes and identified material of special value within the collection. Many of his notes were
included in the description field in the catalog entries for the folders.
Biographical/Historical Note
Thomas J. O’Rourke was the founder, President and CEO of Tymshare (founded in 1964 and sold in1984), a time-sharing company
in Cupertino, California. Prior to founding Tymshare, he worked at General Electric (GE). O’Rourke received a degree in Electrical
Engineering from the University of Washington in 1948. He was a venture capitalist for Hambrecht & Quist Venture Partners
from 1985 to 1990. O’Rourke was married to Marge O’Rourke and a father of six children. He and his family resided in Mountain
View, California from 1964 until he passed away in 2002.
O’Rourke started at GE in the welding department. When the company phased that department out, he became the district manager
for the GE computer department in Los Angeles. In this role, he worked on the development of the Electronic Recording Method
of Accounting (ERMA), a banking accounting system that GE was building for Bank of America. Later he moved to a sales position
in Phoenix, Arizona, followed by a regional manager position in San Francisco. After being fired from this position due to
a personality conflict with a manager, O’Rourke declined an offer to relocate and stay with GE and instead started his own
business.
The business, at first called O’Rourke Enterprises and later renamed to Tymshare, was based on an idea for time-sharing computer
systems. O’Rourke had been exposed to the idea of time-sharing at GE when a Dartmouth University project team had approached
GE for donations of computers with which to test this innovative idea. O’Rourke was intrigued by the concept and felt that
it was a promising business idea. Tymshare was incorporated in 1966.
Tymshare worked on ways of improving data transfer, and formed a division called Tymnet. Tymnet was likely the first commercial
application of a new packet technology that increased the capacity of phone lines to handle larger quantities of data being
transferred.
Tymshare became a public company in 1970, going on the New York Stock Exchange in 1974. The business, originally targeting
the engineering market, developed new markets including software, financial services, and communications. As the company grew,
first domestically and then internationally, it acquired other companies along the way. Tymshare became active in the industry
trade group Association of Data Processing Service Organizations (ADAPSO). In 1984 Tymshare was acquired by McDonnell Douglas
Automation.
Scope and Content of the Collection
The Thomas J. O’Rourke collection includes records that Thomas J. O’Rourke collected as the founder of Tymshare and former
employee of General Electric (GE), as well as thirteen books related to the computer industry. Over half of the materials
pertain to Tymshare.
The collection spans 1950 to1997, with the bulk of the material dated between 1960 and 1990. Highlights of the collection
include speeches that Tom O’Rourke gave to employees and at conferences, Tymnet diagrams and other product literature, and
New York Stock Exchange information and photographs. Also included is quite a bit of content regarding employee reunions at
both companies. There is an emphasis on Tymshare stock value and industry trends from a business perspective.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into 3 series:
Series 1, Tymshare, 1965-1988
Series 2, General Electric, 1950-1997
Series 3, Books, 1955-1985
Separated Material
Related Collections at CHM
O’Rourke, Tom (Thomas J.) oral history, Lot X3778.2007, catalog number 102657984.
Tymes, LaRoy oral history, Lot X3800.2007, catalog number 102657988.
Schmidt, Dave oral history, Lot X3802.2007, catalog number 102657990.
Sanden, Lynn oral history, Lot X3801.2007, catalog number 102657989.
Timesharing and Remote Processing Services meeting session #1 : technology : the early years, Lot X5386.2009, catalog number
102702883.
Gary Morgenthaler collection, Lot X3708.2007, catalog number 102733952.
SRI ARC/NIC records, Lot X3578.2006, catalog number 102706170.
Related Collections at Other Repositories
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Computer service industry - United States
General Electric Company. Computer Department
Time-sharing computer systems
Tymshare, Inc.
Tymshare, Series 1,
1965-1988
Series Scope and Content
This series contains internal documents such as memoranda, correspondence, speeches, planning and marketing materials, photographs,
and employee retreat and reunion documentation. The series also contains information about products, such as Tymnet. There
is substantial information about Tymshare financials and information for shareholders such as Annual Reports. Press coverage
of Tymshare can also be found in this series. The series is arranged into 6 subseries:
Subseries 1.1, Speeches, 1972-1984
Subseries 1.2, Annual Reports, 1971-1982
Subseries 1.3, New York Stock Exchange, 1966-1982
Subseries 1.4, Personnel / Reunion, 1967-1989, bulk 1980-1989
Subseries 1.5, Gary Myers, 1969-1984
Subseries 1.6, General, 1965-1986
Speeches, Subseries 1.1,
1972-1984
Subseries Scope and Content
This subseries contains a variety of presentations, speeches, and related materials. The speeches were given by Tom O’Rourke
to employees, shareholders, and attendees at conferences, as well as to government agencies and other industry organizations.
The speeches have rich content about Tymshare and the computer services industry. This subseries is in its original order.
102726401
Thomas J. O'Rourke speeches 1
1973-1976; 1979; 1983
102726402
Wall Street Journal advertisement for the 76 Tsai forum
1976-01-06
102726403
Thomas J. O'Rourke speeches 2
1972; 1974; 1979; 1984
102726404
Thomas J. O'Rourke speeches 3
1979-1983
102726405
Tymshare articles
1983-1984
102726406
Thomas J. O'Rourke speeches 4
1974-1975; 1978; 1983
Annual Reports, Subseries 1.2,
1971-1982
Subseries Scope and Content
This subseries contains a complete run of Tymshare annual reports spanning the years 1971 to 1982. This subseries is arranged
chronologically.
102726407
Tymshare annual reports
1971-1982
New York Stock Exchange, Subseries 1.3,
1966-1982
Subseries Scope and Content
This subseries includes a substantial amount of prospectus, shareholder reports, financial statements, and related documents
pertaining to Tymshare stock value. There is also a set of 8x10 black and white photographs of Tom and Marge O’Rourke and
others at the New York Stock Exchange, showing Tymshare on the stock exchange in the background. This subseries is in its
original order.
102726409
New York Stock Exchange listing
1970; 1977
102726410
It's about tym : a newsletter for tymshare employees
1977-09
102726411
Tymshare, Inc. : financial statements
1966-1969
102726412
Tymshare shareholder reports
1973; 1976-1978
102726413
Tymshare stock-related documents
1974; 1977
102726414
Tymshare prospectus documents
1970; 1972-1975; 1978-1980; 1982
102726415
Tymshare Inc. form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1976
1976
102726416
Tymshare shareholder meeting notices
1973; 1977
102726417
Tymshare securities prospectus documents and offering circular
1969; 1973-1974; 1980
102726418
Tymshare New York Stock Exchange photographs
ca. 1970
102726419
Tymshare, Inc. : 600,000 shares common stock without par value vol. 1
1970-09
102726420
Tymshare, Inc. : 600,000 common stock without par value vol. II
1970-09
102726421
Tymshare, Inc. : 825,000 shares common stock without par value
1980-12-22
Personnel / Reunion, Subseries 1.4,
Bulk, 1980-1989
1967-1989
Subseries Scope and Content
This subseries includes materials related to organized reunions for Tymshare employees. There are numerous lists of employee
names and addresses, as well as correspondence between Tymshare alumni and reunion organizers. This subseries also contains
photographs of employees in different contexts such as social events, at the office, at retreats, and more. This subseries
is in its original order.
102726422
Tymshare reunion bank account
1988-1989
102726423
Tymshare alumni association
1987-1988
102726424
Tymshare reunion mail
1988-1989
102726425
Tymshare reunion event
1988-09
102726426
Tymshare reunion
1967-1968
102726427
Billing department photographs
1976
102726428
Tymshare reunion directory
1987-1988
102726429
Tymshare reunion photographs
ca. 1988
102726430
Employee list 1982
1982
102726431
Western region promotional fliers
1988
102726432
Pajaro dunes photographs
ca. 1982
102726433
Management offsite meeting photographs
ca. 1980
102726434
Product marketing photographs
1984
102726435
Fremont operations photographs
ca. 1980
Gary Myers, Subseries 1.5,
1969-1984
Subseries Scope and Content
This subseries includes materials that appear to belong to Tymshare employee Gary Myers. Myers worked in sales and the series
includes materials used to motivate sales teams, as well as more information about Tymshare stock value. This subseries is
in its original order.
102726436
Hambrecht & Quist investment studies
1971; 1974; 1976
102726437
Burnham and Company Tymshare report
1971-12-14
102726438
Shareholder letter
1980-04-22
102726439
Tymshare, Inc. : corporate finance
1975; 1978
102726440
Morgan Stanley progress report
1979-08-28
102726441
Computer service industry review
1976-12-31
102726442
Western region 1975 review, 1976 plan
1975-1976
102726443
Western region 1974 review, 1975 plan
1974-1975
102726444
Tymshare memoranda
1977-1978
102726445
1978 objectives industry services division
1977-12
102726446
Performance review
1971-1972
102726447
Tymshare stock information
1977; 1979; 1981-1982
102726448
Tymshare, Inc. schedule 14D-9
ca. 1984
102726449
Tymshare, Inc. 10-K forms
1975-1977; 1979
102726450
Personnel - Tymshare
1969; 1970; 1972-1973
102726451
President's staff presentation : industry services division
1977-07-11
102726452
Tymshare notices of annual meeting of shareholders
1972; 1975; 1979-1983
102726453
McDonnell Douglas Corporation offer to purchase for cash all outstanding shares of common stock of
Tymshare, Inc.
1984-03-02
102726454
Prospectus documents
1970; 1980
General, Subseries 1.6,
1965-1986
Subseries Scope and Content
This subseries contains a variety of materials including incoming and outgoing correspondence, product information, photographs,
employee newsletters and presentations, and planning materials. Of particular note are several large format diagrams of Tymnet
nodes and infrastructure. This subseries is in its original order.
102726392
Correspondence
1965-1993
102726393
1980 long range management plan
1979-1980
102726394
Option brand bank teller kiosk photograph
ca. 1980
102726395
Presentation to Tymshare Senior Managers
1984
102726396
Product literature
1970; 1973; ca. 1976
102726397
What's new at Tymshare? employee newsletter and miscellaneous Tymnet information
1968; 1972
102726398
Empoyee photograph and photograph of "Tymnet-Man" drawing
ca. 1970
102726399
ADAPSO 25th anniversary
1986
102726400
Tymnet diagrams
1971; 1974; 1978
General Electric, Series 2,
1950-1997
Series Scope and Content
This series contains material related to numerous computer department reunions, including reunion photographs, marketing management
material, and a few employee newsletters, including several issues of the alumni newsletter. Of particular note is documentation
of a reunion for the team that built the Electronic Recording Method of Accounting (ERMA), as well as a lyrics book for tongue-in-cheek
songs about computer product development. This series is in its original order.
102726455
General Electric computer department marketing roster : edition 3
1963-02
102726456
Ex-product planner's song book
1963-07-31
102726457
General Electric advanced marketing management seminar
1952; 1956; 1958; 1960-1962; 1981
102726458
General Electric advanced marketing management seminar photograph
ca. 1960
102726459
General Electric computer department miscellaneous
1961; 1964; 1987
102726460
General Electric news : Fitchburg works news
1950-02-03
102726461
General Electric computer department miscellaneous photographs
ca. 1958
102726462
Directory General Electric reunion 1985
1985-05
102726463
General Electric reunion - miscellaneous
1961; 1965; 1985
102726464
General Electric reunion photographs
ca. 1985
102726465
General Electric computer reunion 1994
1994-05
102726466
ERMA team reunion 1993
1993-02
102726467
General Electric computer reunion 1997
1997-10
102726468
General Electric reunion newsletter
1985; 1988-1989; 1993; 1996
102741170
Ex-product planner's song book
1963-07-31
Books, Series 3,
1955-1985
Series Scope and Content
This series contains published, bound books pertaining to the computer industry and technical aspects of computer products.
There is also a volume documenting a GE computer department sales meeting. This subseries is arranged alphabetically by title.
102726476
Arithmetic operations in digital computers
1955
102726472
Automation in business and industry
1957
102726473
Capability-based computer systems
1984
102726471
Data communications and business strategy
1972
102726478
Digital computer programming
1957
102726469
Electronic computers and management control
1956
102726477
Faith, hope and parity
1966
102726480
Frontiers of progress : computer department national sales meeting, Apache Junction,
Arizona
1961-05
102726470
Future of the computer utility, The
1967
102726481
Government regulation of the computer industry
1972-02
102726474
Managing information : the challenge and the opportunity
1985
102726479
Networks for higher education : proceedings of the Educom spring conference
1972-04-13
102726475
Programming business computers
1959; 1961