Archive of 70+ release forms for

The Powersharing Series, signed by PC pioneers, industry giants, and influential developers

8046. Powersharing Series Archive: (70+) Signed Documents. Huge collection of over 70 release forms for Charles Mann’s ‘The Powersharing Series,’ each one page, 8.5 x 11, dated from 1983 to 1990, all signed by a presenter in the field of computing. Mann recorded their talks, given at events hosted by the Boston Computer Society, The Computer Museum, New York PC Users Groups, and other similar groups over the course of a decade, and published them in an audiotape series. The first series, released in 1986, comprised 32 audio cassette tapes in a binder plus a resource guide, consisting of 92 programs. More recently, Mann published the complete series as a digital edition on a USB stick, containing 134 audio programs, 12 videos, 2 mini series, and a resource guide.

These lectures, given by influential businessmen, CEOs, programmers, software developers, educators, technology writers, and others, offer tremendous insight into the past, present, and future of computers during a critical era of the information age. During the 1980s, personal computers left the realm of the hobbyist/enterprise and began to enter households and classrooms across the nation. Many of these speakers examined the possibilities and implications arising from the widespread adoption of computers, and the impact of new technologies in the economy, education, and entertainment. Other presenters focused on introducing improved hardware, demonstrating new software, or discussing the histories of their pioneering companies.

Included with the archive of signed releases are the original audiotape edition of The Powersharing Series, as well as the complete digital edition.

Highlights include: Mitch Kapor, founder of Lotus and developer of Lotus 1-2-3; Seymour Papert, known for his research in artificial intelligence and learning theories at MIT; John Roach, who introduced the TRS-80 and served as CEO of Tandy; Philippe Kahn, versatile and prolific inventor and entrepreneur; Patrick Joseph McGovern, billionaire founder of the International Data Group, publisher of Computerworld, PC World, and the ‘For Dummies’ book series; Jonathan Rotenberg, co-founder of the Boston Computer Society; Jim Button, a ‘father of shareware’; David Bunnell, founder of PC Magazine, PC World, and Macworld; William Norris, CEO of pioneering supercomputer firm Control Data Corporation; William C. Lowe, an IBM executive considered to be a ‘Father of the IBM PC’; Ed Esber, an executive at Ashton Tate, Creative Labs, VisiCorp, and other influential startups; Bill T. Gross (2), software and internet entrepreneur; Benjamin M. Rosen, venture capitalist and chairman of Compaq; Gary Hendrix, a founder of antivirus software firm Symantec; Tom Snyder (2), educational computer game developer and originator of the ‘Squigglevision’ animation technique; Thomas Rattigan (2), CEO of Commodore; and Adam Chowaniec, creator of Commodore’s Amiga platform.

Other signers are: Stewart Alsop II (3), Howard Anderson (2), Gene Banman, Graham C. Beachum, Jr. (2), David Block, Adam Bosworth, Robert M. Carr, Bert Collins, Stephen Dow, Alexis Driscoll, John Dvorak, Donald Emery, Mark Eppley, Jeanne Marie Forester, Charles Foskett, Terrance Garnett, Nat Goldhaber, Marv Goldschmitt, Ezra Gottheil, Adam Green (2), Mike Harvey, Christopher Herot, David Intersimone, David Jones, Dan Kernan, Kenneth Komoski, D. Midian Kurland, Reuel O. Launey III, Paul Levinson, Bill Machrone (2), Marshall Magee, Catherine Marenghi, Keith Masavage, Alan November, Peggy O’Brien (2), Robert Pariseau, John D. Patterson, Jerry Pournelle, Michelle Preston, Gerry Purdy, Alexander Randall, Mike Rohrbach, Henry Rubin, Jim Seymour, Thomas R. Smith, Carl Stork, J. L. Sweeney, Jeffrey Tarter, Joseph Vanginderen, Bruce Vogeli, and Alice Ann Winner.

Additionally included is some supplementary correspondence relating to the Powersharing Series project. In overall fine condition. Starting Bid $200