Dorothy McEwen Kildall, often known as Dorothy McEwen, (1943–2005) was an American

microcomputer A microcomputer is a small, relatively inexpensive computer having a central processing unit (CPU) made out of a microprocessor. The computer also includes memory and input/output (I/O) circuitry together mounted on a printed circuit board (PC ...

industry pioneer. In 1974, she co-founded Digital Research, the company that developed the first computer language, the first compiler and the first mainstream operating system for microcomputers.

Early years and education

Dorothy McEwen was born on 3 March 1943 in Seattle, Washington, USA. She was the daughter of Marion Strout and Gene McEwen. After high school she attended the University of Washington. After a few years, she abandoned studies and for the next several years, she worked to support her husband as he went to the same university.

Professional career

McEwen Kildall cofounded Digital Research, managing the company's marketing and daily operations. In 1980, she was involved in IBM's unsuccessful attempt to license CP/M for the IBM Personal Computer. In 1983, the company's revenue was $44.6 million and

CP/M CP/M, originally standing for Control Program/Monitor and later Control Program for Microcomputers, is a mass-market operating system created in 1974 for Intel 8080/ 85-based microcomputers by Gary Kildall of Digital Research, Inc. Initial ...

had become the standard operating system on most microcomputers. In 1991, Gary Kildall sold the company to

Novell Novell, Inc. was an American software and services company headquartered in Provo, Utah, that existed from 1980 until 2014. Its most significant product was the multi-platform network operating system known as Novell NetWare. Under the lead ...

for $120 million.

Personal life

McEwen married her high school mate Gary Kildall. In 1969, the couple moved to the Monterey Peninsula and she gave birth to her son

Scott Kildall Scott Kildall (born 1969) is an American conceptual artist working with new technologies in a variety of media including video art, prints, sculpture and performance art. Kildall works broadly with virtual worlds and in the net.art movement. ...

in 1969 and her daughter Karen Kildall in 1971. The marriage separated in 1983, and was later divorced. She cofounded the Carmel Valley Angel Project and the Community Thanksgiving. She served on the Board of Directors for the Pacific Grove Heritage Society and the Intersea Foundation, the Carmel Red Cross, Carmel Valley Recreation and Park District, Carmel Valley Chamber of Commerce and Animal Welfare Information and Assistance. She volunteered in many organizations, including: * Carmel Valley Village Improvement Committee * Carmel Valley Women's Club * Pacific Grove Art Center * The Suicide Prevention Center * The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts * The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals * The Pacific Grove Unified School District In 1989, she bought the

Holman Ranch Holman Ranch was originally part of the Rancho Los Laureles, a Mexican land grant in present-day Monterey County, California. The ranch passed through many hands until 1928, when San Francisco businessman, Gordon Armsby, purchased in Carmel Va ...

, a 400-acre plot of land in Carmel Valley Village. She rebuilt its Spanish-style architecture transforming it into a winery and a site for weddings, corporate parties, photo shoots and charity events, and she built a equestrian center.

Death

McEwen died in 2005 from brain cancer.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:McEwen Kildall, Dorothy 1943 births 2005 deaths Digital Research employees CP/M people Deaths from cancer 20th-century American women 20th-century American people

Early years and education

Professional career

Personal life

Death

See also

References