Name: John Walker

Born: c. 1950

  • Computer programmer.
  • Founder of Autodesk, Inc.
  • Co-author of AutoCAD.
  • In 1974 and 1975, he wrote the ANIMAL software, which self-replicated on UNIVAC 1100 machines: this is considered to be one of the first computer viruses.
  • Known for his efforts in the 196 Palindrome Quest, by taking it to 1,000,000 digits.

Significant publications

  • The Hacker’s Diet (2005).
  • The Autodesk File (1989).

Websites

  • John Walker personal website
  • John Walker blog