Gary Boone papers, 1967-2014

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Summary

Creators:
Boone, Gary, 1945-2013
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.
Extent:
42.75 Linear feet, 31 record cartons and 1 oversize box
Language:
Preferred citation:

[Identification of Item], [Date], Gary Boone papers, Lot X6996.2014, Box [#], Computer History Museum.

Background

Scope and content:

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.

Biographical / historical:

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.

Acquisition information:
Gift in memory of Gary Boone, 2014.
Processing information:

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.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research. However, the collection may require review by CHM staff before viewing.

Terms of access:

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], Gary Boone papers, Lot X6996.2014, Box [#], Computer History Museum.

Location of this collection:
1401 Shoreline Blvd.
Mountain View, CA 94043, US
Contact:
(650) 810-1010
research@computerhistory.org
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