Gary Kildall — the computer scientist who could have been Bill Gates.
His mistake which eventually caused his death is the saddest story in the history of tech.
Here is the story of the man that created the first operating system but lost billions to Microsoft in the 1980s.
In 1977, Apple successfully launched its first fully-assembled PC — Apple II.
It took the PC industry just 3 years to become a billion-dollar industry.
This caught IBM's attention and decided to pose some real competition to Apple as the rage wasn't a fad.
IBM which is large and bureaucratic cooperation made them slow in decision making.
They implemented a workaround and put together a small and capable team who would go ahead to assemble a PC.
The problem is, IBM's new PC needed software (an operating system) to run.
A team from IBM approached Gates which a proposal — they needed an operating system.
Gates remarked that they can't help IBM with an OS ( Microsoft didn't have one), but he knows someone who can.
After signing an NDA, he pointed IBM in the direction of Gary Kildall.
The NDA prevented Gates from disclosing any information about the meet, but he hinted to Gary on the phone that,
"Someone is coming to see you. They are important, treat them well."
This is where it gets sad.
Gary like many brilliant scientists was more interested in innovation than business, but he had already paved the way for PCs by building the first operating system — Control Program for Microcomputers (CP/M)
His wife managed to get him to commercialize the product.
Digital Research, founded by Gary Kildall became the industry standard for operating systems.
You could say they were the Microsoft of the late 1970s.
When IBM visited, Gary wasn't home.
Probably because he didn't take Gates seriously and presumed IBM was a small startup.
Upon meeting his wife at home, they pushed for her to sign an NDA which she refused.
IBM left and this is how Gary lost the golden opportunity to Gates.
Upon getting a visit from IBM the second time, Gates decided to not let go of the opportunity this time around.
Upon meeting his wife at home, they pushed for her to sign an NDA which she refused.
IBM left and this is how Gary lost the golden opportunity to Gates.
Upon getting a visit from IBM the second time, Gates decided to not let go of the opportunity this time around.
He assured them that though Microsoft didn't have an OS, they could get one for IBM.
Microsoft bought an operating system from a small company for $75,000 — Quick and Dirty Operating System (QDOS)
QDOS was a ripoff and clone of Gary's CP/M. Similar code, just different names.
The name was changed from QDOS to MS-DOS and was packaged with every IBM PC.
For every sale, Microsoft made $40.
It was in subsequent years that MS-DOS became the Microsoft Windows.
The first IBM PC hit the market in 1981. Within a few years, IBM had made record sales of 2 million units.
This made them overtake Apple as the World's largest PC manufacturer.
But IBM made a mistake — the licensing deal for MS-DOS wasn't exclusive to their PCs. This made it legal and possible for Microsft to license MS-DOS to other competitors like Compaq and HP. A few years, Bill Gates became a billionaire.
What happened to Gay Kildall?
Gary filed a series of lawsuits after the success of IBM and Microsoft's partnership.
They settled by allowing IBM to sell both MS-DOS and C/PM with the PCs
It was now up to customers to decide whether to buy the $40 MS-DOS or the $240 CP/M.
The price discrepancy killed CP/M.
Gary's blunder and the mistake cost him his marriage as his wife divorced him.
He entered a state of fragility which took a toll on his mental health.
Gary Kildall died at 52, due to depression and alcoholism caused by criticism of his handling of a deal with IBM.
Gary Kildall's absence from home at a crucial time is considered one of the greatest business blunders in history.
Make the most of every opportunity.
Author: Micheal Asiedu''
