Alan Kay
American computer scientist (born 1940)
1940 — present
Quick Facts
Profession
American computer scientist (born 1940)
Born
May 17, 1940
Age
~86 years
Name Origin
English
Timeline
computer scientist, university teacher, programmer
United StatesBorn in Springfield
1940
Born in Springfield (1940-05-17)
1987
AwardACM Software System Award
1999
AwardComputer History Museum Fellow
2001
Positionchairperson
2003
AwardTuring Award
2004
AwardCharles Stark Draper Prize
About
Alan Curtis Kay is an American computer scientist who pioneered work on object-oriented programming and windowing graphical user interface (GUI) design. At Xerox PARC he led the design and development of the first modern windowed computer desktop interface. There he also led the development of the influential object-oriented programming language Smalltalk, both personally designing most of the early versions of the language and coining the term "object-oriented." He has been elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Royal Society of Arts. He received the Turing Award in 2003.
Read more on Wikipedia →Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Alan Kay?+
Alan Curtis Kay is an American computer scientist who pioneered work on object-oriented programming and windowing graphical user interface (GUI) design. At Xerox PARC he led the design and development of the first modern windowed computer desktop interface. There he also led the development of the i
What does the name Alan mean?+
The name Alan means "A male given name from the Celtic languages.". It is of English origin.
When was Alan Kay born?+
Alan Kay was born on May 17, 1940.
Name Meaning
A male given name from the Celtic languages.
The name Alan is of English origin, meaning "A male given name from the Celtic languages.". It is traditionally a male name.
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Alan — May 17, 1940
Zodiac & Calendar Signs
Western Zodiac
Taurus
Reliable, patient, devoted
Earth · Venus · Apr 20 – May 20
Chinese Zodiac
Dragon
Confident, intelligent, enthusiastic
Metal · Yang
Mayan Tzolkin
8 Kan
Seed — abundance, growth, fertility
Celtic Tree
Hawthorn
Curious, adaptable, natural performer
Ogham: Huath · May 13 – Jun 9
Birthstone: Emerald — Rebirth, fertility
Would you name your baby Alan?
Guestbook
Stopped here. Glad I did.
— a passerby
3am Wikipedia rabbit hole. Ended up here. No regrets.
— a night owl
You made me understand something I thought was beyond me.
— a curious mind
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