If you’ve been around the technical/engineering software business as long as I have, as with any business, nothing stays the same. This includes founders, executives, and other major players who were once prominent in the industry, but for many reasons have moved on. Some, to other companies in the industry, some to other industries, and some who have just plain disappeared. History never stands still and the CAx industry is no exception.
Although it’s a bit dated and based on a research project, check out the video below for a very short recap on the history of CAD:
A Short History of CAD
During the coming weeks and months we’ll try and track down players who were formerly very prominent in the MCAD arena and see what they’re up to now. Some of these folks include:
- John Walker – Autodesk
- Mike Riddle – Autodesk
- Carol Bartz – Autodesk
- Dominic Gallello – Autodesk
- Dick Harrison – PTC
- Steve Walske – PTC
- Jim Meadlock – Intergraph
- Joe Costello – Think3
- Pat Hanratty — MCS
- Martin Newell – Ashlar
- Jon Hirschtick – SolidWorks
- John McEleney — SolidWorks
- Jeff Ray – SolidWorks
- Jason Lemon – SDRC
- Fontaine Richardson – Applicon
- John Wright – United Computing (later Unigraphics)
- Thomas Curry – MSC Software
- Robert Bean – CADKEY
Obviously, this list only scratches the surface of possibilities. If there is anyone currently or formerly renowned in the CAD/CAM/CAE/CAx industry you would like to see us track down and update what they’re up to, send an email to me at jeff@ibsystems.com with a subject line that reads, “Where Are They Now?”, and we’ll do our best to respond in an upcoming blog on a person’s whereabouts and more recent accomplishments.
