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Black History Month: Mark Dean

In honor of Black History Month, we are going to spotlight on a few African American inventors that have impacted the world of computer technology. Dr. Mark E. Dean and his co-inventor Dennis Moeller created a microcomputer system with bus control means for peripheral processing devices. Their invention allows IBM and compatible PCs to use high performance software and to communicate with peripheral devices, like disk drives, video gear, speakers, and scanners, in a high-speed, efficient manner. The first commercial use of their patents was marketed in 1984 in the IBM PC/AT computer. Dean also led the team that produced the 1-Gigahertz chip, which contains one million transistors and has nearly limitless potential. Early in his career at IBM, Dean was chief engineer working with IBM personal computers. The IBM PS/2 Models 70 and 80 and the Color Graphic Adapter are among his early work. He holds three of IBM's original nine PC patents. Currently, Dean is vice president of performance for the RS/6000 Division. He was named an IBM fellow in 1996 and received the Black Engineer of the Year President's Award in 1997. Dean holds more than 20 patents. He was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1997. Source: "Mark Dean and Dennis Moeller", by Mary Bellis, About.com Guide