Joseph Weisbecker

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Joseph Weisbecker (born September 4, 1932 in New Jersey , † November 15, 1990 ) was an American microprocessor and microcomputer researcher, author and designer of toys and games. He is known for developing and popularizing the RCA microprocessor RCA1802 COSMAC.

life and work

Weisbecker was already working with digital logic and computer systems in 1951 and designed a hobby tic-tac-toe computer. To teach basic computer concepts, he developed elementary school teaching aids in 1955, built with lamps and switches, and an inexpensive game. In 1956 he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Drexel University . He then developed and designed computers as an engineer at Radio Corporation of America (RCA). He contributed to the development of RCA's programmable video game systems in the 1970s: FRED, Studio II, STUDIO III and STUDIO IV as well as Microtutor. In the early 1970s, he developed a computer based on an 8-bit architecture using the CMOS process published as COSMAC 1801R and 1801U and incorporated into the 1802 chip in 1976. He developed CHIP-8 as a platform-independent language for video game development, and later developed applications for the 1802, including light guns, card readers, and cartridge interfaces. He spent more than 20 years researching and developing advanced computers and systems and more than 10 years developing games. He earned 24 patents and created over a dozen new products, from games to computers. Together with the hardware and software development of the systems he designed, he wrote detailed manuals, instructions for use and tutorials. He later developed color graphics chips for use in a video game, as well as a range of color graphics terminals. One of the products that used this was the Studio III. He was committed to making computer systems fun and affordable.

Awards

  • RCA Labs Outstanding Achievement Award,
  • Best Paper Award from the IEEE Computer Society
  • David Sarnoff Award for outstanding technical achievements

Publications (selection)

  • "A Simplified Microcomputer Architecture," IEEE Computer, March 1974; RCA Engineer, 1974
  • "Build Flip: A CMOS Game Computer," Popular Electronics, 1974
  • "An Easy Programming System", Byte, 1978
  • The best retro game hardware, Retro Gamer special issue 2/2016
  • The money machine. 250 ideas for lucrative extra income with your microcomputer, 1983, ISBN 9783812500364

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Weisbecker, Joseph
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Weisbecker, Joseph A .; Weisbecker, Joe
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American microprocessor and microcomputer researcher, author, and designer of toys and games
DATE OF BIRTH September 4, 1932
PLACE OF BIRTH New Jersey
DATE OF DEATH November 15, 1990