Childhood
William H. Gates, III was born into a wealthy Seattle family in 1955. His father is an
attorney and his mother is a University of Washington Regent and director of First
Interstate Bank. Much of his early childhood was characterized as "rebellious." Perhaps
this was due to the sibling rivalry he experienced with his older sister. In any case, his
parents enrolled him in Lakeside, an academically rigorous private school in Seattle. His
parents encouraged academic success by rewarding him and his sister with 25 cents per
each A they earned. (Rensin 18) However, young Bill continued to get average grades
until the eighth grade. At that point, he decided that he wanted to get good grades and
then decided to focus his energy into doing just that. After his sister discovered the
opposite sex, Bill remarked: "She never got straight A's again."(Resnin 18) Although he
proved to himself that he could get straight A's, he continued to maintain a straight A
average throughout his schooling. In addition to getting good grades, Bill and his sister (2
years his senior) were encouraged to read a lot by their parents. He was not permitted to
watch television on weeknights during his schooling.
When he first started school (public school) he was often characterized as a "class clown"
or "goof-off." However, when he entered Lakeside, that same sense of humor often got
him into trouble. Interestingly, whenever he got into trouble at school, his parents would
send him to a psychiatrist. His first visit began when he was 11 and he continued seeing
him for about one and a half years. The psychiatrist pointed out to Bill that he didn't
have to fight for his parents love through his rebellious behavior. The psychiatrist was
often carry on discussions with young Bill and then give him books on psychology to
read to make him start thinking. His interlude with the psychiatrist, helped to put Bill on
the path to success.
Computer Beginnings
In the late 1960's the Lakeside Mothers' Club (among whom his own mother) made a
decision that would affect the course of the computer software industry: They used the
proceeds from a rummage sale to buy an interface terminal and computer time for the
students at Lakeside. At 13, Bill wrote his first software program: Tic-Tac-Toe. With
this new terminal, he and several other students could play Tic-Tac-Toe against the
computer. However, this process could be considered cumbersome. There was no
monitor--only a keyboard and a printing machine. Each time they made a move, they
would have type it at the keyboard and then rush over to the printer to see the results.
Although, playing one game on the computer often used their entire lunch period
(compared to matter of seconds with a pencil and paper), he was entranced with the
machine. Reflecting back, "There was just something neat about the machine." He was
fascinated that he could actually give the machine instructions and it would carry them
out perfectly every time.
Eventually the Mothers' Club grant ran out and students had to pay for the time which
they spent using the computer interface. Access to the mainframe cost $40 per hour.
While Bill's parents would pay for his tuition and take care of his basic needs, they left it
up their son find a way to buy access time. So Bill and his good friend Paul Allen (later
co-founder of Microsoft) would take summer jobs working for computer companies as
programmers. They would run software the company created and look for "bugs" and fix
them. This turned out to be very lucrative for the young students as they earned as much
as $5,000 in cash and computer access time. (Gates 12) Gates also wrote a computer
program for his school as he reflects: "One of the early programs I wrote, not for money,
was for Lakeside. It scheduled students in classes. I surreptitiously added a few
instructions and found myself nearly the only guy in a class full of girls."(Gates 12).
In 1972, Intel released the first microprocessor called the 8008. It was small, but
extremely powerful. Bill and Paul wondered if they could write a BASIC (Beginners
All-purpose Instructional Code) program for the little chip. However, the chip wasn't
able to handle that many complex instructions. Despite this, Bill and Paul discovered that
they could use the chip in a machine that could analyze traffic data. "We called our first
company 'Traf-O-Data.' We thought that the name was sheer poetry." (Gates 14)
Although it performed its function well and was tested by several cities, no one wanted to
buy it. Discouraged they continued on with their education. Bill attended Harvard and
began majoring in economics. However his interest in computer software had not
diminished.
A Crucial Decision
In 1974, Intel released an improved version of the 8008 microprocessor, the 8080. This
processor had 10 times the power of the original. Bill and Paul discovered that it was
capable of being programmed using BASIC. Soon they were sending out letters to various
computer companies offering to write programs for the new chip but without success.
Then the first minicomputer kit debuted in the winter of that same year--the Altair 8800.
What was so important about this computer was that it contained Intel's 8080
microprocessor. Bill and Paul realized that if this computer hit the market, their dreams
of creating software could be squelched. So they decided to go ahead and write a program
for the computer based on its manual. After 5 long weeks they had created the
programming software for this computer. Realizing that their claim in the software
industry was at stake, Bill left Harvard and Paul quit his programming job at Honeywell
to start what would later be called Microsoft.
A Fledgling Company
The company was first based in Albuquerque, New Mexico (the site of the manufacturer
of the Altair Computer). There, they created software for the Altair in exchange for
royalty. However, the company that owned the Altair was bought out and Bill and Paul
had to fight to receive their royalties. By 1977, many companies had entered the personal
computer (PC) market including Apple, Commodore, and Radio Shack. Bill went to each
of the companies and would try to sell a software license. Microsoft would receive a
small royalty for each computer sold that used their software. As the PC market grew,
they would license their software for almost $100,000. Many companies balked at that
figure at first, but Bill was able to convince them that "that was cheap" compared to how
much it would cost for them to develop their own software. Thus Microsoft was up and
running. Soon after, Microsoft was writing programs for Japan and even worked with the
Japanese in the creation of the first laptop computer. (Gates 49)
A Major Deal
In 1980, IBM asked Microsoft to develop software that could be used to operate a new
personal computer that they were thinking of making. So Microsoft undertook the job
and created Microsoft Disk-Operating System or MS-DOS. In an attempt to open the
door to future programs based on this system, Microsoft sold the software outright to
IBM for about $80,000 in the hope that IBM could distribute it widely and inexpensively
to consumers. This tactic worked. In comparison with the other operating systems,
MS-DOS was the least expensive and soon the most widely marketed. Because IBM
created its PC out of relatively common hardware and bought its microprocessors from
Intel, it left an opening for other computer makers to make "clones" of it. This proved to
be extremely beneficial to Microsoft as more and more computer companies came to
Microsoft asking the company to develop the software for their computers. IBM and
DOS soon became the rage in the computer industry.
A Visual Operating System
In 1984, Apple released its Macintosh computer. Microsoft helped to develop the
software for the computer. What made this computer so extraordinary, what that it had a
graphical user interface. Instead of having to type in commands using a keyboard and
function keys, this system implemented screens that contained menus which contained
the various operations the computer could perform. With the use of a rolling clicking
device called a mouse, users could move a cursor to select what they wanted their
computer to do. Apple soon became the rage as it simplified the running of software such
that someone did not have to speed typist or programmer to use it.
The Advent of Windows
With the popularity of Macintosh, Microsoft began to develop its own visual interface:
Windows. It appeared very similar to the operating system used by Macintosh except
that it was built on top of the existing DOS so that older programs could be run as well as
new software designed for Windows. Windows became the rage in the early 1990's and
soon reclaimed much of the market that IBM had lost to Macintosh. Throughout the
early 1990's, Microsoft continually put forth new versions improving on its predecessor.
The Internet
By the mid 1990's, the Internet was beginning to really take off. Microsoft realized that
in order to assure themselves a place in this market they needed to completely revamp
Windows. So by 1996, Microsoft had created the newest version of Windows called
Windows 95. This system provided accessibility options to the Internet and creating
local computer networks. It also made upgrading the hardware in computers almost as
simple as "plug-and-play." During this time, Microsoft was also releasing versions of its
Web browser called Internet Explorer in response to Netscape's' Navigator. Over the past
two years, Microsoft has continued to improve its web browser in response to the
increasing popularity of the Internet and the new applications being created for it. Its
browser is also used by several Internet Service Providers such as America Online.
Microsoft has also improved on its operating system with the recent release of Windows
98 which allows computers to become even more connected to the Internet and is able
support several of its applications. Essentially, the operating system appears like a web
browser.
Trials and Tribulation
Currently the business practices of Microsoft are under scrutiny by the Department of
Justice. The Justice Department is accusing Microsoft of trying to monopolize the web
browser industry. Many people are divided on the issue. Some think that corporation is
being attacked because it is so successful while others fear that Microsoft might actually
monopolize the industry and be able to sell its products at outrageous prices. Bill Gates
offers his opinions on the trial each day on the Microsoft Home Page
http://www.microsoft.com. He also remains open to customer comments and ideas.
Relevance to Gardner
So how does the life of Bill Gates fit into the Gardner model? Is he a genuine creator?
How do the events in his life fit into Gardner's model of creativity.
Support
As a child Bill was encouraged to strive for success. His parents wanted him to utilize his
talents and realize his potential. They intervened in his education by placing him in an
accelerated school. Bill was also rewarded for his good grades. His parents cared about
his success so much so that they had go to a psychiatrist for counseling during his
rebellious youth in the hope that he could focus his energy into his studies. His mother
provided him (as well as classmates) with access a computer. His parents also supported
his decision to start Microsoft despite the possibility of failure.
Bill also had a network of friends who shared his interest in computers at his school.
Foremost of which was Paul Allen who worked with Bill to help establish Microsoft.
They had a dynamic working relationship that made success the only option. While
Allen handled the hardware aspects, Bill focused on developing the programming for the
computers. This friendship has proved very successful in both the emotional support
Bill required as well as in the domain in which he was working.
Master of Domain
Bill (along with Allen) had created a new domain for the computer. Their software for
running microprocessors ultimately led to the creation of personal computers for general
use. They helped to bring computer technology to the average consumer through their
programs. Their operating systems created a new market as well as many new
possibilities for computers. Although other software companies offered their own
operating system software, Bill made sure to keep pushing ahead to improve his own and
even create new uses for it. It was this ambition that allowed Bill to move ahead of his
competitors and dominate the industry.
Development of Code
His software in essence was a new code. It allowed minicomputers to realize their full
potential. His programs such as DOS and Windows (although based on recognized
programming languages) allowed other programs to be run on these minicomputers
including programs, often taken for granted today, such as word processing; spreadsheet;
and database. Each new program he created was a platform in which new information
could be created and manipulated (i.e. using a word processor to write a Nobel Prize
winning piece of literature).
Concept of Marginality
When first starting out Microsoft, he moved the operation to Albuquerque. This was
where the company that was making the Altair personal computer was based. This place
was the center of creativity for personal computer software at the time because that was
the company making them. However, after the company was bought out, he relocated the
business to Seattle.
10 Year Rule of Creativity
It could be said that he made a major breakthrough every 10 years with smaller ones
interspersed. The first one was the creation of an operating system for the Altair
computer. This success was the beginning of future successes to follow. A second
breakthrough occurred with creation of DOS about 5 years later. Then the creation of
Windows about 5 years after that. Then the creation of Windows 95 and Internet
Explorer. While all of this was not done only by Bill, he certainly played a major role in
its development.
Faustian Bargain/End of Creativity
Bill has not given up creating. In fact he has extended it with the creation of Microsoft.
He is committed to hiring "creative, energetic, smart, and enthusiastic" people to work
there. Bill constantly drives himself and others to create new programs and come up with
new ideas and new uses for technology. He is also extending his software into other
domains such as cable television and Hollywood in the hope that they will find new uses
for the new technology. His ultimate goal is to one day have everyone connected to a
network of computers that allow them access to almost any kind of information or
resource from their own computers.
Conclusion
Bill Gates has played a major part in shaping our present lives. His desire to bring PC's
to the homes of consumers has been realized. Partly owing to the advances in computer
hardware, but mostly owing to his keen economic insight and gifted ability to create
computer software. How history will ultimately cast Bill Gates is still undetermined.
Despite all the criticisms of him and his company, I hope that Bill Gates will be
recognized a genuine historical creator and have his name placed among the ranks Freud,
Einstein, Picasso, Stravinsky, Eliot, Graham, and Ghandi.
Gates, Bill. (1996). The Road Ahead (2nd e.). New York: Penguin Books.
Rensin, David. (1994). The Bill Gates Interview. Playboy Magazine. (accessed through Britannica Online).
Sulloway, Frank. (1993). Creating Minds. New York: Basic Books.