John Walker, the visionary technology entrepreneur and co-founder of Autodesk, passed away on February 2 in Neuchâtel, Switzerland at the age of 74. Despite his reclusive nature, Walker made a significant impact on the tech industry with his groundbreaking work in developing the AutoCAD software program.
Walker’s journey in the tech world began in 1982 when he co-founded Autodesk with 15 other programming experts. While the company initially focused on office automation software, it was the introduction of AutoCAD that propelled Autodesk to success. AutoCAD revolutionized industries such as architecture and engineering by allowing professionals to design on a computer screen, eliminating the need for traditional pen and paper methods.
Walker’s skepticism about AutoCAD’s commercial potential quickly faded when the program received an overwhelming response at the Comdex tech trade show in Las Vegas. The success of AutoCAD solidified Walker’s reputation as a tech mogul of the 1980s and ’90s.
Born in Baltimore in 1949, Walker’s path to entrepreneurship was unconventional. After studying astronomy at Case Western Reserve University, he found his calling in programming and eventually co-founded Marinchip Systems before establishing Autodesk. Despite his success, Walker remained humble and continued to contribute to the tech world through his personal site, Fourmilab, where he shared his musings on various tech topics.
Walker’s legacy lives on through his contributions to the tech industry and his pioneering work with Autodesk. His impact on computer-aided design and his innovative approach to technology will be remembered for years to come. Walker is survived by his wife, Roxie, and his brother, Bill.
