# John Draper

> American computer programmer and former phone phreak

**Wikidata**: [Q712546](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q712546)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Draper)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/john-draper

## Summary
John Draper is an American computer programmer and former phone phreak, best known for his role in the early hacker community. He gained fame as "Captain Crunch" for his discovery of a method to hack telephone systems using a toy whistle. Draper's work laid the foundation for modern hacking culture and influenced the development of computer science and telecommunications security.

## Biography
- Born: March 11, 1943, Canada
- Nationality: United States
- Education: Not specified
- Known for: Pioneering phone phreaking and early hacker culture
- Employer(s): Apple Inc.
- Field(s): Computer science, telecommunications

## Contributions
John Draper is most famous for his discovery in 1971 that a toy whistle from Captain Crunch cereal could generate a 2600 Hz tone, which could be used to manipulate telephone systems. This led to the term "phreaking" and inspired a generation of hackers. Draper later worked as a computer scientist and contributed to the development of early computer systems. He was a member of the Homebrew Computer Club and worked at Apple Inc., where he helped develop software and hardware solutions. His work in the 1970s and 1980s helped shape the early internet and telecommunications landscape.

## FAQs
### Q: What is John Draper best known for?
A: John Draper is best known as "Captain Crunch" for his discovery that a toy whistle could hack telephone systems, pioneering the field of phone phreaking.

### Q: Was John Draper involved in early computer development?
A: Yes, Draper was a member of the Homebrew Computer Club and worked at Apple Inc., contributing to early computer science and telecommunications.

### Q: What was the significance of the Captain Crunch whistle?
A: The whistle generated a 2600 Hz tone that could manipulate telephone systems, leading to the term "phreaking" and inspiring a generation of hackers.

### Q: Did John Draper found any companies?
A: There is no information in the provided source material indicating Draper founded any companies.

### Q: What is John Draper's current residence?
A: John Draper resides in Las Vegas, as per the source material.

## Why They Matter
John Draper's work as a phone phreak in the 1970s laid the groundwork for modern hacking culture. His discovery of the Captain Crunch whistle demonstrated the vulnerabilities in early telephone systems, leading to increased awareness of telecommunications security. Draper's contributions to the Homebrew Computer Club and his employment at Apple Inc. further cemented his role in shaping early computer science. His legacy continues to influence the fields of cybersecurity and telecommunications, inspiring future generations of hackers and innovators.

## Notable For
- Pioneered phone phreaking with the Captain Crunch whistle in 1971.
- Member of the Homebrew Computer Club, contributing to early computer development.
- Worked at Apple Inc., helping develop software and hardware solutions.
- Influenced early telecommunications security and hacker culture.
- Known by multiple aliases, including "Captain Crunch," reflecting his iconic role in hacking history.

## Body
### Early Life and Phone Phreaking
John Draper was born on March 11, 1943, in Canada. He later became a naturalized citizen of the United States. In 1971, Draper discovered that a toy whistle from Captain Crunch cereal could generate a 2600 Hz tone, which could be used to manipulate telephone systems. This led to the term "phreaking" and inspired a generation of hackers.

### Computer Science and Early Development
Draper was a computer scientist and a member of the Homebrew Computer Club, a gathering of early computer enthusiasts. He later worked at Apple Inc., contributing to the development of software and hardware solutions. His work in the 1970s and 1980s helped shape the early internet and telecommunications landscape.

### Legacy and Influence
John Draper's contributions to phone phreaking and early computer science have had a lasting impact on the fields of cybersecurity and telecommunications. His discovery of the Captain Crunch whistle demonstrated the vulnerabilities in early telephone systems, leading to increased awareness of telecommunications security. Draper's legacy continues to inspire future generations of hackers and innovators.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. [Source](https://pantheon.world/profile/person/John_Draper)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. Quora