Thomas Kurtz, a pioneering mathematician in the computer industry and co-creator of the language BASIC, passed away at the age of 96 on November 12th.
During the 1960s, while working as a professor at Dartmouth College, Kurtz developed the Dartmouth Timesharing System (DTSS) and sought to create a programming language that was easy enough for undergraduate students. This led to the creation of BASIC in collaboration with John Kemeny.
The DTSS was run on the large GE-225 computer with 20 terminals available for use throughout the campus, gaining widespread popularity. The first software from Microsoft, Microsoft BASIC, was launched on the Altair 8800 in 1975. Kurtz also played a role in advancing the standards of BASIC by working as the chairman of ANSI BASIC from 1974 to 1985.
Source – Computer History Museum
TLDR: Thomas Kurtz, a key figure in computer history, co-created BASIC and advanced programming standards during his career.
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