Jerry Lawson (engineer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jerry Lawson
|
|
|---|---|
Lawson, 1982
|
|
| Born |
Gerald Anderson Lawson
December 1, 1940 Brooklyn, New York, U.S
|
| Died | April 9, 2011 (aged 70) Santa Clara, California, U.S.
|
| Education | Queens College |
| Occupation | Electronic engineer |
| Spouse(s) |
Catherine
(m. 1965) |
| Children | 2 |
Gerald Anderson Lawson (born December 1, 1940 – died April 9, 2011) was a brilliant American electronic engineer. He was one of the first African-American computer engineers in Silicon Valley, a famous technology hub. Lawson is best known for his amazing work on the Fairchild Channel F video game console. He led the team that made game cartridges safe and strong for everyone to use. Because of his clever ideas, many people call him the "father of the game cartridge." Later, he started his own game company called Video-Soft.
Contents
Gerald Lawson's Early Life and Interests
Gerald Lawson was born in Brooklyn, New York City, on December 1, 1940. His father, Blanton, loved science, and his mother, Mannings, worked for the city. She also helped with the local school's parent-teacher group. Gerald's grandfather had studied to be a physicist but became a postmaster instead.
His parents made sure Gerald got a good education. They supported his scientific hobbies, like ham radio and chemistry. Gerald remembered his first-grade teacher encouraging him to become an important person, like George Washington Carver.
As a teenager, Gerald lived in Queens. He earned money by fixing television sets. When he was 13, he got an amateur radio license. He even built his own radio station at home using parts from local electronics stores. He went to Queens College and City College of New York, learning a lot, but he didn't finish a degree at either school.
Building the Future of Video Games
In 1970, Gerald Lawson joined Fairchild Semiconductor in San Francisco. He worked as an engineering consultant. In his garage, he created a coin-operated video game called Destruction Derby. This game was one of the first to use microprocessors, which are like tiny computer brains.
Inventing the Game Cartridge
In the mid-1970s, Lawson became the Chief Hardware Engineer for Fairchild's video game division. He led the team that created the Fairchild Channel F console, released in 1976. This console was special because it used game cartridges that you could swap out.
Before this, most game systems had games built right into them. You couldn't change or remove them. Lawson and his team improved an existing idea. They made it possible to store games as software on removable cartridges. These cartridges could be put in and taken out of the console many times without any danger. This meant players could buy many different games. It also created a new way for companies to earn money by selling games separately.
The Channel F console also had new features. It included an 8-way joystick designed by Lawson. It was also the first home video game console with a "pause" button! While the Channel F wasn't a huge seller, its cartridge idea became very popular. The Atari 2600, released in 1977, used this same approach.
Connecting with Other Innovators
While at Fairchild, Lawson was part of the Homebrew Computer Club. This was a group of computer enthusiasts. Famous people like Apple founders Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak were also members. Lawson even interviewed Wozniak for a job at Fairchild, but he didn't hire him.
Starting His Own Company
In 1980, Lawson left Fairchild to start his own company, Videosoft. This company developed games for the Atari 2600. Unfortunately, Videosoft didn't release any games before it closed a few years later.
After Videosoft, Lawson worked as a consultant. He even worked with the famous musician Stevie Wonder on a special "Wonder Clock." This clock was designed to wake children with the sound of a parent's voice, but it was never produced. Lawson also helped with a mentor program at Stanford University. He planned to write a book about his amazing career.
Later Years and Passing
Around 2003, Gerald Lawson began to experience health issues due to diabetes. He passed away on April 9, 2011, from complications related to diabetes. This was about a month after he was recognized by the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) for his pioneering work. He lived in Santa Clara, California, at the time of his death.
Gerald Lawson's Lasting Impact
Gerald Lawson's team made huge contributions to game cartridges. They made sure cartridges were safe and lasted a long time for home use. This is why he is known as the "father of the video game cartridge."
Awards and Recognitions
- In March 2011, the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) honored Lawson as a pioneer in the gaming industry.
- He received the ID@Xbox Gaming Heroes award on March 20, 2019. This award recognized his leadership in creating the first console that used game cartridges.
- The World Video Game Hall of Fame in Rochester, New York, has a permanent display about Lawson's contributions.
- An elementary school in Los Angeles, the Gerald A. Lawson Academy, is named after him.
Featured in Documentaries and Programs
Lawson's story has been shared in many ways:
- A short documentary about him was made by director Bayer Mack. It was part of the Profiles of African-American Success series.
- He was featured in the Netflix documentary High Score in 2020. His children, Karen and Anderson, shared his story.
- The Command Line Heroes podcast dedicated an episode to him, titled "Jerry Lawson: The Engineer Who Changed the Game."
- He also appeared in History's The Toys That Built America series.
Supporting Future Innovators
In May 2021, the University of Southern California and Take-Two Interactive created the Gerald A. Lawson Fund. This fund helps Black and Indigenous students who want to work in the video game industry. Microsoft also started supporting this fund in August 2021.
Google Doodle and Gaming Historian
On December 1, 2022, Google Doodle celebrated Lawson's 82nd birthday with an interactive game. Users could create, edit, and share their own games. In June 2023, The Gaming Historian YouTube series also told the story of Lawson and the Fairchild Channel F.
See also
In Spanish: Jerry Lawson para niños
