Mark D. Weiser Papers, 1969-1999

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Summary

Creators:
Weiser, Mark
Extent:
94 Linear Feet
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item] Mark D. Weiser Papers, M1069, Dept. of Special Collections, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Background

Biographical / historical:
Missing Title
Date Event
1967
(First paid programming work, Chemistry Department, Cornell University)
1970-1975
Omnitext, Inc., Programmer, Ann Arbor, MI
1973-1976
Cerberus Inc., Co-founder and President, Ann Arbor, MI
1973-1976
Portable Information Systems, Ltd., Co-founder and Vice-President, Ann Arbor, MI
1974-1979
University of Michigan, Research Assistant and MTS Counselor
1975-1976
MIS International, Project Leader, Detroit, MI
1979-1987
University of Maryland Computer Science Department.
1979-1984
Assistant Professor, University of Maryland Computer Science Department.
1981-1984
Laboratory Director, University of Maryland Computer Science Department
1984-1987
Associate Professor, University of Maryland Computer Science Department
1986-1987
Associate Chairman, University of Maryland Computer Science Department
1987 May - 1999 June
Xerox PARC.
1988 Nov. - 1994 Dec.
Head of the Computer Science Laboratory; Principal Scientist since 1988.
1999
Chief Technologist, Xerox PARC.

Dr. Mark Weiser was the Chief Technologist at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC). Weiser never received a bachelor's degree but earned his PhD in Computer and Communications Sciences from the University of Michigan (1979). Weiser was assistant and associate professor and associate chair in the Computer Science Department at the University of Maryland from 1979 to 1987, when he joined Xerox PARC as a member of the technical staff, then heading the Computer Science Laboratory for seven years. He started three companies. His over 75 technical publications are on such areas as the psychology of programming, program slicing, operating systems, programming environments, garbage collection, and technological ethics. Weiser's work since 1988 focused on Ubiquitous Computing, a program he initiated that envisions PC's being replaced with invisible computers embedded in everyday objects. He believed that this will lead to an era of "calm technology", in which technology, rather than panicking us, helps us focus on what is really important to us.

Mark Weiser was born on July 23, 1952 in Chicago, Illinois. Named Mark David Weiser after his father, David, he moved with his family to Mt. Carroll, Illinois when he was four years old. There he enjoyed a peaceful existence with his paper route, electronic projects, and garage band the Outsiders (not the Outsiders). At the age of fourteen he and his family moved to Ithaca, New York and after one year moved to Stony Brook, New York where he finished high school.

Weiser was also the drummer of the rock band Severe Tire Damage, the first live band on the Internet.

He died in May 1999 and is survived by his widow, Victoria Reich, and their two daughters, Nicole Reich-Weiser and Corinne Reich-Weiser.

Custodial history:

Gift of Victoria Reich, 1999 May.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Names:
Weiser, Mark

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use. Audiovisual materials are not available in original format, and must be reformatted to a digital use copy.

Terms of access:

While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item] Mark D. Weiser Papers, M1069, Dept. of Special Collections, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Location of this collection:
Department of Special Collections, Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-6004, US
Contact:
(650) 725-1022
specialcollections@stanford.edu
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