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Nolan BushnellAmerican engineer and entrepreneur who founded Atari, Inc. and Chuck E. Cheese's.
Date of Birth: 05.02.1943
Country:  USA |
Biography of Nolan Bushnell
The King of Pong
Nolan Bushnell, an American engineer and entrepreneur, is the founder of Atari, Inc and Chuck E. Cheese's. He was nicknamed the "King of Pong" by the Silicon Valley media. This nickname was given to him because he was a passionate player and recognized as the king of games. During gameplay, he would show the enthusiasm and excitement of a child. "Pong" became the result of his passionate desire to create a mass-popular game arcade. Nolan named it "Pong" because that was the sound the video paddle made when it hit the video ball. The name also hinted at the game's similarity to ping pong. The nickname "King of Pong" also pays tribute to Nolan as the recognized founder of the video game industry in America.
A Fun-Loving Joker
Nolan was a true free-spirited joker who often took detours on his way home if he was doing well in a game or encountered a friendly lady. He had a playful and frivolous temperament, appearing as a bearded, imposing (6 feet 4 inches) middle-aged man. Nolan's childlike love for games and his boyish spirit were his guides on the path to creating the video game industry. It was his favorite thing to do (as described by Horatio Alger). Without Nolan's positive self-confidence, he would have never been able to attract loyal followers, who later helped him realize his innovative ideas.
Pong: The Game-Changer
"Pong" was Nolan's second attempt to enter the video game market. The first was a game called "Computer Space," which failed due to its complexity and cost. The instructions for the game were too complicated for the average arcade player. In "Pong," Nolan ensured simplicity, making it understandable even for newcomers. Released in 1972, it became a hit in 1973 and 1974. "Pong" changed the world of video games in many ways. It altered the standards of arcade games, solidified the place of video games in society, and attracted a multitude of consumers. It became a pioneer in the mass market for video games. "Pong" transformed the essence of arcade games, home console games, PC games, and recently emerged adult games (like "Star Wars") played by the Pentagon and NASA.
A Game-Changer for the Video Game Industry
"Pong" was not the first computer video game. It all started with the home television game "Odyssey Magnavox." However, "Pong" became the first mass-produced video game. It caused a true revolution and essentially founded a new industry. "Pong" was also the first among video games to receive recognition from experienced players and computer experts. The omnipresent pinball-like machines dominated the arcade industry in the early 1970s. They were large electromechanical machines, technologically inflexible, requiring intensive maintenance and equipped with an imperfect image transmission system. The electromechanical manufacturing companies, eager to maintain their positions in this industry, refused to adopt technologies born outside their realm. This shortsighted thinking of industrial leaders gave a chance to new companies that saw the opportunities of emerging new technologies based on integrated circuits. Silicon Valley companies were knowledgeable and understood the advantages of the new technology based on integrated circuits. This allowed them to become pioneers in the creation of electronic video games. The same scenario unfolded in other industries, where specialists were amazed by the power of integrated circuits and the possibilities for increasing memory capacity. Calculator, electronic clock, and telephone productions went through the same metamorphoses as the game industry in the mid-1970s. In 1971, Intel invented the microprocessor. This event coincided with Atari's endeavors, and the technological breakthrough in electronics became a catalyst for the development of the game industry. Video games became the offspring of the emerging video game technology, which allowed for increasing memory capacity on small carriers called microchips, which in turn became increasingly miniature. The revolution in the microcosm of microcomputer technologies became the driving force in the development of video games, pocket calculators, electronic clocks, personal computers, and electronic telephones. All these products were created in the mid-70s as by-products of new technology. Those companies that could not adapt to the world of electronics did not survive. Bushnell was a child of technology, and thus he became the father of the video game industry.
The Catalyst of Innovation
Bushnell and Atari essentially created three segments of the video game market. The first belonged to arcade games, which entered the market in 1972. The second was the home console version, designed for home televisions. In 1974, this game was sold exclusively by the company. The third segment was occupied by the cartridge-based gaming system. This principle allowed consumers to change and exchange games and had something in common with the idea of changing blades instead of razors. The video computer system became the industry standard and dominated the home television game market from 1977 to 1983. It was a precursor to today's game consoles, making game cartridges a must-have item on children's Christmas wish lists.
Persistent Optimism and Risk-Taking
Nolan Bushnell was an incorrigible optimist, which often did harm to his well-being. He believed so strongly in his new ventures that he was willing to risk everything to fulfill his dreams. An example of his positive myopia is the production of home robots in 1982, which involved significant risk and cost him $8 million. It was his own money. He passionately believed that the era of home robots had arrived. He convinced reporters that soon robots would replace household dogs and bring newspapers to their owners - and he genuinely believed it himself. When questioned about the feasibility of home robots, he replied, "Human workers are expensive, but robots won't need to be paid." In the mid-1980s, the project was shelved, resulting in a $15 million loss.
A Passionate Player
Nolan was an obsessed player. He would bet on who would enter the door next. He could spend hours playing with his friends, betting $100 on each game. He believed that business was a game and should be approached as such. He did not attach importance to rewards in games and business; the most important thing for Bushnell was to play well.
The Innovator's Mindset
Atari owes its name to his competitive spirit and obsession with games. It was taken from the ancient Japanese game "Go" and means "I attack you," equivalent to declaring checkmate in chess. This clearly demonstrates Bushnell's aggressive, competitive nature and his desire to make games the center of his world.
The Eternal Child
Nolan Bushnell created the company "Axlon" and dedicated it to the high-tech business of manufacturing talking toy animals. Then he formed a company that produced vending machines, which he believed would become a distinct type of retail business called Bi-Video. Creating the company "Magnum Microwave," he ventured into the commercial microwave communication business. Nolan and his wife Nancy opened the restaurant "Lion and Compass" and the club "Bar and Grill Zappa." In the mid-80s, as color imaging technology developed, it sparked Nolan's inventive mind to create a new color computer called "Eye-R-O." This computer could scan a customer's skin and hair color and provide them with a personalized color palette. The company "Sent" was created by Bushnell as a game manufacturer and competitor to Atari and other companies in the industry.
A Risk-Taker and a Joker
Bushnell was the chairman and main investor in most of these companies but struggled to manage them effectively. He attracted external capital and often put his entire fortune at stake. Most of these ventures were unable to recoup the investments. His ability to generate new ideas and fully immerse himself in them resembled the passionate enthusiasm of Bill Lear and other great entrepreneurs. He made a fortune in games and lost it in games. Games became his essence, just as "the deal" became Trump's essence. These great players left their mark by firmly believing that business is a game, and they played it as if they had a monopoly on money.
A Creative Genius
Creative geniuses make big bets based on their intuitive beliefs and win big - but if they make mistakes, they also lose big. This was the case in the 1970s when Nolan greatly underestimated the potential of the PC market. Steve Jobs worked directly and indirectly for Nolan during those turbulent days. In 1975, Jobs presented to Nolan a version of the personal computer "Apple I," which he developed together with Wozniak. Nolan, a person with a brilliant instinct, told Jobs that he did not see market prospects for personal computers. This is an illustrative fact that even brilliant visionaries can be myopic when it comes to someone else's idea. Nolan Bushnell was a self-assured optimist with high self-esteem. He overcame all adversities and did not allow setbacks to shake his goals. Business was a game of his mind, and games brought him joy. He played them enthusiastically with a positive emotional attitude. Defense was not part of his tactic; he only played on the offensive.
A Legacy of Video Games
At the dawn of video game development, traditionalists tried to undermine their reputation, claiming that they were harmful to children's health and well-being. Local and federal authorities began banning them under various pretexts. The witch hunt that has passed through the entire history of humanity, from Galileo to Einstein, also affected video games in the late 70s and early 80s. People claimed that games acted like drugs, causing narrow-mindedness, crime, and other signs of the times that frightened parents. However, according to "Y.S. News and World Report," there were people who sought to justify video games. Psychologist Patricia Greenfield conducted a study on their impact on players. She stated that video games develop cognitive skills necessary for learning, problem-solving, creativity, as well as visual and spatial thinking. She found an increase in intellectual abilities among students.
