Today I’ve posted the interview I did for Programmers at Work in 1986 with John Warnock, founder of Adobe. It’s worth noting his is one of the few companies from 1986 that still remains an independent, thriving entity today. And it’s striking to me because of all the individuals I interviewed back then, John Warnock had far more of the professorial aire about him than a “business mogul” bent. He was a pure and focused spirit with an obvious dedication and love for his pioneering pursuit of making the pc and its peripheral into a powerful and elegant typesetting and publishing tool. Quite simply, Warnock’s invention of Postscript revolutionized the pc and publishing industries.
Warnock remains fixed in my memory as an incredible warm, kind, thoughtful person. He was clear and articulate in his vision and as you can see in the sample program design notes included with his interview, he brings an artistic hand to his technical pursuits.
Warnock now enjoys retirement. His company celebrated its 25th anniversary recently.
Read and enjoy.—Susan Lammers
P.S. The response to putting up the interviews has been wonderful. Thanks to everyone for your support and encouragement! And ideas are already percolating for adding new content and making the original book available. Keep coming back for more.
Programmers At Work 
Hi Susan,
Just found out about your blog and I wanted to say this is amazing. I look forward to reading your older stuff and the newer interviews that you will do.
Comment by Robert Kozak — March 20, 2008 @ 9:06 pm |
i am gonna show this to my friend, brother
Comment by Lottiedi — March 24, 2008 @ 7:01 am |
Susan,
I just bookmarked your blog look forward to your future entries, particularly the interview with late Jef Raskin. It would be hard to pick one interview which stands out, but this one was not only good but downright cool – especially his remarks on pickup trucks and Rolls Royce :)))
Back in the 80s, I read your book in one sitting. Later on, I read the interviews off a CD which was distributed through Dr Dobbs Journal.
Comment by Samir Dobric — May 19, 2008 @ 4:06 am |
I took the title to mean that he’d died in 2008, which he clearly didn’t if you do the math, but it was still surprising.
Comment by Andy Lester — April 29, 2009 @ 6:11 pm |