Atari co-founder Ted Dabney dies at 81
May 27, 2018 4:00 AM Subscribe
Dabney had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer in late 2017, and, according to friends, decided against treatment after being told he had eight months to live.
In 1971 Dabney co-founded Atari predecessor Syzygy with Nolan Bushnell and developed Computer Space, the world's first commercially available arcade video game. In 1972 the pair co-founded Atari, and Computer Space was used for the basis of Pong, the video game that made the company its early-days millions. Dabney later left the company after a falling out with Bushnell. Along with developer Al Alcorn, released the iconic game Pong in 1972.
He was only with Atari for a short while -- he left after a dispute with Bushnell over management decisions. He briefly continued working with Bushnell on games for Pizza Time Theater (the predecessor to Chuck E. Cheese), but spent much of his post-Atari period working with tech companies like Fujitsu, Raytheon and Teledyne.
Previously
In 1971 Dabney co-founded Atari predecessor Syzygy with Nolan Bushnell and developed Computer Space, the world's first commercially available arcade video game. In 1972 the pair co-founded Atari, and Computer Space was used for the basis of Pong, the video game that made the company its early-days millions. Dabney later left the company after a falling out with Bushnell. Along with developer Al Alcorn, released the iconic game Pong in 1972.
He was only with Atari for a short while -- he left after a dispute with Bushnell over management decisions. He briefly continued working with Bushnell on games for Pizza Time Theater (the predecessor to Chuck E. Cheese), but spent much of his post-Atari period working with tech companies like Fujitsu, Raytheon and Teledyne.
Previously
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posted by Big Al 8000 at 5:30 AM on May 27, 2018
posted by Big Al 8000 at 5:30 AM on May 27, 2018
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posted by Smart Dalek at 6:35 AM on May 27, 2018
posted by Smart Dalek at 6:35 AM on May 27, 2018
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posted by Poldo at 8:22 AM on May 27, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by Poldo at 8:22 AM on May 27, 2018 [5 favorites]
Computer Space and the Dawn of the Arcade Video Game
Oral History of Samuel F. (Ted) Dabney
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posted by RobotVoodooPower at 9:54 AM on May 27, 2018
Oral History of Samuel F. (Ted) Dabney
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posted by RobotVoodooPower at 9:54 AM on May 27, 2018
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posted by radwolf76 at 4:07 PM on May 27, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by radwolf76 at 4:07 PM on May 27, 2018 [7 favorites]
Feel terrible as I didn't even recognise the guy's name. His work and influence on the other hand, I do. Good FPP, RIP.
posted by I'm always feeling, Blue at 9:36 PM on May 27, 2018
posted by I'm always feeling, Blue at 9:36 PM on May 27, 2018
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posted by Katjusa Roquette at 4:56 AM on May 27, 2018