# Jon Postel

> American computer scientist (1943–1998)

**Wikidata**: [Q92623](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q92623)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Postel)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jon-postel

## Summary
Jon Postel was an American computer scientist and engineer best known for his foundational role in developing the Internet's core infrastructure, including the Domain Name System (DNS) and the Internet Protocol (IP). Often called the "godfather of the Internet," his work at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and as the first editor of the RFC (Request for Comments) series shaped the technical standards that enable global internet communication.

## Biography
- **Born**: August 6, 1943, in Altadena, California, USA
- **Nationality**: American
- **Education**:
  - Bachelor of Science in Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles (1966)
  - Master of Science in Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles (1968)
  - Doctorate in Computer Science, University of California, Los Angeles (1974)
- **Known for**: Pioneering the Internet's foundational protocols, including DNS, IP, and RFC standards
- **Employer(s)**: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
- **Field(s)**: Computer science, information technology, Internet infrastructure

## Contributions
Jon Postel made critical contributions to the development of the Internet's technical architecture. As the first editor of the RFC series (beginning in 1969), he established the collaborative process for documenting and standardizing Internet protocols. His work on the Domain Name System (DNS) in the early 1980s provided the scalable, hierarchical naming system that translates human-readable domain names (e.g., "example.com") into IP addresses, enabling the modern Internet. Postel also co-authored key protocols like TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), which became the backbone of global data transmission.

Postel served as the director of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) from its inception, managing the allocation of IP addresses, domain names, and protocol parameters. His leadership ensured the Internet's decentralized and open governance model. He authored or co-authored numerous RFCs, including RFC 791 (IPv4) and RFC 1034 (DNS), which remain foundational to Internet operations. His principle, "Be conservative in what you send, liberal in what you accept" (known as the "Robustness Principle"), became a guiding tenet for protocol design.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Jon Postel best known for?
A: Jon Postel is best known for his foundational work on the Internet's core protocols, including the Domain Name System (DNS) and the Internet Protocol (IP). He also served as the first editor of the RFC series and directed the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA).

### Q: Where did Jon Postel work?
A: Postel spent most of his career at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he contributed to the early development of the ARPANET and later the Internet.

### Q: What awards did Jon Postel receive?
A: Postel received several prestigious awards, including the SIGCOMM Award (1997), the EFF Award (1999, posthumously), and induction into the Internet Hall of Fame (2012). The Jonathan B. Postel Service Award was also named in his honor.

### Q: What is the "Robustness Principle"?
A: The Robustness Principle, articulated by Postel, states: "Be conservative in what you send, liberal in what you accept." This guideline emphasizes that software should strictly adhere to standards when sending data but be flexible in interpreting received data to ensure interoperability.

### Q: How did Jon Postel die?
A: Jon Postel died on October 16, 1998, in Santa Monica, California, at the age of 55, following complications from heart surgery.

## Why They Matter
Jon Postel's work laid the technical and organizational groundwork for the modern Internet. His contributions to DNS, IP, and the RFC process enabled the scalable, decentralized infrastructure that supports global communication today. Without his leadership, the Internet might have fragmented into incompatible networks or remained confined to academic and military use. Postel's emphasis on open standards and collaboration fostered the Internet's growth as a public resource, influencing generations of engineers and policymakers. His legacy endures in every website visit, email sent, and online transaction, making him one of the most impactful figures in computing history.

## Notable For
- Pioneering the Domain Name System (DNS), which underpins the modern Internet.
- Serving as the first editor of the RFC series, shaping Internet protocol standardization.
- Directing the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), managing critical Internet resources.
- Co-authoring foundational Internet protocols, including TCP/IP and DNS (RFC 1034/1035).
- Receiving the SIGCOMM Award (1997), EFF Award (1999), and induction into the Internet Hall of Fame (2012).

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Jon Postel was born on August 6, 1943, in Altadena, California. He attended Van Nuys High School before enrolling at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (1966), a Master of Science in Engineering (1968), and a Doctorate in Computer Science (1974). His doctoral advisor was David J. Farber, a prominent computer scientist.

### Career and Internet Development
Postel joined UCLA's Network Measurement Center, where he worked on the ARPANET, the precursor to the Internet. In 1969, he became the first editor of the RFC series, a role he held for nearly 30 years. The RFC process became the primary method for proposing and documenting Internet standards.

In the 1980s, Postel co-designed the Domain Name System (DNS), which replaced cumbersome numeric IP addresses with human-readable domain names. He also played a key role in developing TCP/IP, the suite of protocols that enables data transmission across networks. As director of IANA, he oversaw the allocation of IP addresses, domain names, and protocol parameters, ensuring the Internet's smooth operation.

### Legacy and Recognition
Postel's influence extended beyond technical contributions. His leadership in IANA and the RFC process embodied the Internet's collaborative, open ethos. He received numerous accolades, including the SIGCOMM Award (1997) and posthumous honors like the EFF Award (1999) and Internet Hall of Fame induction (2012). The Jonathan B. Postel Service Award, established in 1999, recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Internet.

### Death and Posthumous Impact
Postel died on October 16, 1998, in Santa Monica, California, following heart surgery. His work remains foundational to the Internet's infrastructure, and his principles continue to guide protocol design and governance.

## Schema Markup
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## References

1. [Source](http://opensource.apple.com/source/misc_cmds/misc_cmds-18/calendar/calendars/calendar.birthday)
2. [Source](https://news.usc.edu/9865/Jon-Postel-Internet-Pioneer-Dies-at-55/)
3. [Source](http://www.opensource.apple.com/source/misc_cmds/misc_cmds-31/calendar/calendars/calendar.birthday)
4. [Source](http://www.usc.edu/dept/pubrel/trojan_family/spring99/Postel/postel.html)
5. [Source](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1468-0491.2009.01455.x/pdf)
6. RFC 2468: I REMEMBER IANA
7. [Source](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeanchristophe-nothias/internet-governance_b_3435812.html)
8. [Source](http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/01972240290074959)
9. [Source](http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2014/12/19/hackers-are-going-after-the-internets-very-infrastructure-heres-why-that-matters/)
10. [EFF Awards: Past Winners. 2017](https://www.eff.org/awards/past-winners)
11. [Source](https://www.internethalloffame.org/inductee/jon-postel/)
12. [Source](http://www.nndb.com/lists/508/000063319/)
13. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
14. Integrated Authority File