Jeffrey Hawkins

Profession: Inventor of the PalmPilot

Nationality:

Biography: Jeff Hawkins is an American entrepreneur and neuroscientist, best known for his work in founding Palm Computing and creating the original Palm Pilot, a device that led the way in personal digital assistants (PDAs). His contributions significantly advanced handheld computing technology.

Hawkins started his career at Intel but left to pursue his interest in mobile computing. In 1992, he founded Palm Computing, where he focused on creating portable, user-friendly devices for managing information. The Palm Pilot, released in 1996, was successful due to its ease of use, portability, and the Graffiti handwriting recognition system, which Hawkins had a key role in developing.

Beyond his work in mobile computing, Hawkins is also recognized for his contributions to neuroscience. He has a longstanding interest in understanding how the brain works, particularly in the areas of memory and cognition. This led him to establish the Redwood Centre for Theoretical in Neuroscience in 2002.

Hawkins subsequently co-founded Numenta in 2005, a company focused on developing machine learning models based on the principles of the human brain. These efforts are a part of his broader vision to advance the field of artificial intelligence through a better understanding of human intelligence.

Born: June 1, 1957
Birthplace: Huntington, New York, USA
Age: 67 years old

Generation: Baby Boomer
Chinese Zodiac: Rooster
Star Sign: Gemini