An Wang

Dr. An Wang (王安, pinyin: Wáng Ān) (February 7, 1920 – March 24, 1990) was a Chinese American computer engineer and inventor.

Born in Shanghai, China, Wang emigrated with his family to the United States in 1945. Wang worked with Dr. Howard Aiken at Harvard University in the 1950s. Wang invented several important computer technologies, including the pulse transfer controlling device, an important early contribution to magnetic core memory.

Wang's company Wang, Inc. manufactured early personal word processors in the 1970's. The most popular was commonly called a Wang. It consisted of a modified typewriter. A small computer built into the typewriter could store and display text files. These files could be edited and printed (as if the typewriter were typing on its own). At the time personal computers were unheard of and having a simple word processor was very useful, however these Wangs were fabulously expensive. Celebrity author Stephen King purchased a Wang.

Wang founded a company called Wang Laboratories, which at one time employed over 30,000 people and was headquartered in Lowell, Massachusetts. When Wang looked to retire from actively running his company in 1986, he insisted upon handing over the corporate reins to his son, Fred Wang. Hard times ensued for the company, and the elder Wang was eventually forced to remove his son in 1989. Still, when An Wang died of cancer in 1990, he left behind an impressive technical and philanthropic legacy.

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