# John Thompson

> American inventor and programmer

**Wikidata**: [Q6260669](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6260669)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Thompson_(inventor))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/john-thompson

## Summary
John Henry Thompson is an American inventor and programmer best known as the creator of the Lingo scripting language. He is recognized for his contributions to software engineering during his tenure at MacroMind and Macromedia in the 1990s and early 2000s. In 2012, he was awarded the Silver Musgrave Medal for his achievements.

## Biography
- **Born:** June 15, 1959, in Hackney
- **Nationality:** United States
- **Education:** [Information not provided in source]
- **Known for:** Creating the Lingo scripting language
- **Employer(s):** MacroMind (1989–1991), Macromedia (1992–2001)
- **Field(s):** Software Engineering, Computer Programming, Invention

## Contributions
John Thompson's primary contribution to the field of computer science is the development of **Lingo**, a scripting language first recorded in 1989. Lingo is associated with the broader class of software development tools used for writing computer software.

Thompson developed this language while working in the software industry. His career includes significant tenures at two major software companies: **MacroMind**, where he began working in March 1989, and **Macromedia**, where he was employed from 1992 until 2001. This period aligns with the inception and rise of multimedia authoring tools in the late 20th century. His work has been documented by the Engineering and Technology History Wiki, solidifying his status as a notable figure in the history of programming languages.

## FAQs

### Q: What programming language did John Thompson invent?
A: John Thompson invented **Lingo**, a scripting language used in software development. The language was inceptioned in 1989.

### Q: What awards has John Thompson received?
A: John Thompson is a recipient of the **Silver Musgrave Medal**, which he received in 2012. This award is administered by the Institute of Jamaica.

### Q: Where did John Thompson work?
A: Thompson worked for **MacroMind** starting in March 1989 until 1991. He subsequently worked for **Macromedia** from 1992 to 2001.

## Why They Matter
John Thompson matters to the history of technology for his specific contribution to scripting languages through the creation of Lingo. His work facilitated the development of software during a critical era of multimedia expansion. By bridging the gap between human instructions and computer execution, Lingo served as a tool for programmers and software engineers to build interactive applications.

Thompson's recognition extends beyond the tech industry; his receipt of the Silver Musgrave Medal in 2012 highlights his cultural and educational impact, particularly within the Jamaican community (as implied by the awarding body, the Institute of Jamaica). His career trajectory from MacroMind to Macromedia places him at the center of the evolution of multimedia authoring tools that defined the pre-broadband internet era. His legacy is preserved through various international authority files, including the Library of Congress and the IEEE History Center.

## Notable For
- **Creator of Lingo:** Invented the scripting language Lingo in 1989.
- **Silver Musgrave Medalist:** Awarded the prestigious medal in 2012 for contributions to science/technology.
- **Industry Tenure:** Served as a key software engineer at Macromedia for nearly a decade (1992–2001).
- **Early Multimedia Pioneer:** Began work at MacroMind in 1989, a foundational company in the multimedia industry.

## Body

### Personal Background
John Henry Thompson (also known as John Henry Michael Thompson and JT Thompson) was born on June 15, 1959, in Hackney. He holds citizenship in the United States and is identified as male. He maintains an online presence via his personal website and various social media platforms, including GitHub (jht1900, jht1493), Twitter (@jht1493), and Instagram.

### Career History
Thompson's professional career features prominent roles in software development firms:
- **MacroMind:** Employed from March 1, 1989, to 1991.
- **Macromedia:** Employed from 1992 to 2001.

### Technical Achievements
Thompson is the creator of **Lingo**, a scripting language. The documented inception date for Lingo is 1989. This creation classifies him as a practitioner of software engineering and a person who writes computer software (a subclass of software developer).

### Recognition and Documentation
Thompson's biography and work are cataloged by numerous international institutions:
- **Awards:** Silver Musgrave Medal (2012).
- **Archives:** Described by the Engineering and Technology History Wiki (ETHW).
- **Authority Control:** Listed in the Library of Congress (no96017161), VIAF (87496935), and the National Library of Spain (XX1727063).

## References

1. [Source](https://prezi.com/uhb2rzagudhd/john-henry-thompson/)
2. datos.bne.es
3. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20150116081930/http://instituteofjamaica.org.jm/featured/3491/john-henry-thompson-collects-his-musgrave-award/profficer)
4. [Source](http://2015group38comp1220uwi.weebly.com/john-henry-thompson.html)
5. [Source](http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no96017161)
6. [Source](https://ethw.org/John_Thompson)
7. YouTube API