# Dan Bricklin

> American computer scientist

**Wikidata**: [Q92624](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q92624)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Bricklin)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dan-bricklin

## Summary
Dan Bricklin is an American computer scientist who co-created VisiCalc in 1978, the first spreadsheet software that revolutionized business computing. He is often referred to as the "father of the Spreadsheet" for this pioneering work that transformed how businesses process financial data.

## Biography
- Born: July 16, 1951, in Philadelphia
- Nationality: United States
- Education: Harvard University, Harvard Business School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy
- Known for: Creating VisiCalc, the first spreadsheet software
- Employer(s): Digital Equipment Corporation
- Field(s): Computer science, software development, entrepreneurship

## Contributions
Dan Bricklin co-created VisiCalc in 1978, the first spreadsheet software that transformed business computing. Released for the Apple II, VisiCalc was so influential it became known as the "killer app" that drove sales of the computer. His invention made complex financial calculations accessible to non-programmers, eliminating the need for manual calculations or custom programming for business modeling. This breakthrough laid the foundation for all modern spreadsheet applications including Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets, fundamentally changing how businesses analyze data and make decisions. Without Bricklin's innovation, personal computing might not have gained the business credibility it achieved in the early 1980s.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Dan Bricklin most famous for?
A: Dan Bricklin is most famous for co-creating VisiCalc in 1978, the first spreadsheet software. This revolutionary program transformed business computing and earned him the nickname "father of the Spreadsheet."

### Q: What awards has Dan Bricklin received?
A: Bricklin has received numerous awards including the Grace Murray Hopper Award (1981), ACM Software System Award (1985), ACM Fellow (1994), Computer History Museum Fellow (2004), Washington Award (2001), and Computer Pioneer Award (2023).

### Q: Where did Dan Bricklin receive his education?
A: Bricklin attended Harvard University, Harvard Business School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy for his education.

## Why They Matter
Dan Bricklin's creation of VisiCalc fundamentally changed personal computing and business practices. Before VisiCalc, financial modeling required complex calculations by hand or custom programming. His spreadsheet software made it possible for non-programmers to perform complex calculations, transforming how businesses analyzed data and made decisions. This innovation directly influenced the development of modern spreadsheet applications like Excel, Lotus 1-2-3, and Google Sheets, which remain essential business tools worldwide. His work helped establish the personal computer as a serious business tool rather than just a hobbyist device.

## Notable For
- Co-creator of VisiCalc, the first spreadsheet software (1978)
- Nicknamed "father of the Spreadsheet" for his pioneering work
- Recipient of the Grace Murray Hopper Award (1981)
- Named ACM Fellow (1994) for his contributions to computing
- Received Computer Pioneer Award (2023) specifically for creating VisiCalc

## Body
### Early Life and Education
- Born July 16, 1951, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Birth name: Daniel Singer Bricklin
- Attended Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy
- Educated at Harvard University, Harvard Business School, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Has citizenship in the United States

### Career
- Worked as a programmer at Digital Equipment Corporation
- Co-founded Software Arts with Bob Frankston to develop VisiCalc
- Served as CEO and president of various technology companies
- Maintained an active presence in the computing community through speaking engagements and publications

### VisiCalc
- Co-created with Bob Frankston in 1978
- Released for the Apple II computer
- Widely credited as the "killer app" that drove Apple II sales
- First spreadsheet software to bring electronic spreadsheet functionality to personal computers
- Transformed business computing by making financial modeling accessible to non-programmers
- Laid the foundation for modern spreadsheet applications

### Recognition and Awards
- Grace Murray Hopper Award (1981)
- ACM Software System Award (1985)
- ACM Fellow (1994)
- Computer History Museum Fellow (2004)
- Washington Award (2001)
- Computer Pioneer Award (2023) specifically for creating VisiCalc

### Digital Presence
- Website: http://www.bricklin.com/
- Twitter handle: @DanB
- Bluesky handle: danb51.bsky.social
- YouTube channel: danbcast
- Maintains active social media presence with thousands of followers

### Professional Affiliations
- Member of the National Academy of Engineering
- Member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
- Designated as ACM Fellow since 1994

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## References

1. [Source](https://awards.acm.org/award_winners/bricklin_2836799#145)
2. [Source](https://computerhistory.org/hall-of-fellows/)
3. [Source](https://awards.acm.org/award_winners/bricklin_2836799#149)
4. [Source](https://awards.acm.org/award_winners/bricklin_2836799#158)
5. [Source](https://www.computer.org/profiles/daniel-bricklin)
6. [Source](https://www.washingtonaward.com/directory/2000s/)
7. International Standard Name Identifier
8. Virtual International Authority File
9. [Source](https://awards.acm.org/fellows/award-recipients)
10. IMDb
11. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
12. YouTube API