A man who would have been Bill Gates...
Introduction
Everybody gets their attention to the people who succeed. The person who gets success in his experiments becomes a popular personality. People start knowing him by his name, by his achievements, etc.
But what about the people who fail to get success. There is a lot to learn from the failure story.
Today we won't be sharing a success story but a failure story of someone who was just one step behind success. But what happened later that his destiny changed and what we can learn from his story?
I am sure you will find this story fascinating!!!
Who is he?
In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, few stories are as intriguing and reflective as that of Gary Kildall, a brilliant mind whose contributions to computing are often overshadowed by the rise of industry titan Bill Gates.
In this compelling exploration, “A Man Who Would Have Been Bill Gates - The Real Story of Microsoft,” we delve into Gary Kildall’s remarkable journey, examining the key moments that defined his career and the vital lessons that can be gleaned from his experiences.
As we navigate the highs and lows of Kildall’s life, this blog emphasizes the importance of seizing opportunities and the often crucial factor of timing in the ever-evolving tech landscape.
Join us as we explore the life lessons embedded in Gary Kildall’s journey, encouraging readers to seize their own opportunities and recognize the pivotal moments that can lead to success.
GARY KILDALL
Gary Kildall was a gentleman who was keeping himself low-key. In 1971, Gary created a programming language for Intel's first CPU chipset called '4004'.
He thought of how he could make the software interact with the computer system. He then invented CP/M which is a Control Program for Microcomputers that could interact with any computer hardware.
CP/M or Control Program Monitor was the first operating system for personal computers.
Before CP/M every computer had a tailor-made operating system that could not be used on different computers. Gary Kildall made this invention as a hobby. He initially did not have any interest in the business.
His wife - Dorothy Kildall had convinced him to start a company called Digital Research, Inc. (DRI) and license his creation. By 1979, DRI had made a lot of progress and it had set a benchmark in the operating system software industry. It had been like a Microsoft of that time and Gary Kildall was equivalent to Bill Gates.
Gary Kildall was the owner of a successful running company called Digital Research, Inc. (DRI) and was into the Development and Marketing of Control Programs/monitors.
So, such an extremely talented guy who was not just an American Scientist, not just an entrepreneur but also an inventor.
How he could not get the success he deserved?
It was in the year 1977 when Personal computers were newly launched and the PC industry was taking new highs. It was then a billion-dollar industry. Apple had been very successful in launching its first personal computer - the Apple II.
It was the first time that computers were being used to increase productivity and assist human intelligence to accomplish astonishing results from within the home.
In 1980, IBM was a successful company selling large mainframes. They felt it was late and saw this as a big opportunity which if not grabbed would make them go out of business soon.
Like Apple, they also wanted to venture into the personal computing business with small-sized computers that can be used at home.
However IBM had some drawbacks, they were bureaucratic and very slow when making decisions. It would definitely take them a lot of time to design a computer like Apple.
So how they were going to compete with Apple in time was the question.
They had assigned a small team within the company to create a business-purpose personal computer. When the team started, it decided that they would use off-the-shelf parts so that they could speed up the design process which would otherwise have taken a long time.
Using this method they managed to build a personal computer within a year. The only thing required was software to run this computer. IBM was now in search of an operating system for their personal computer.
An operating system is software that manages the hardware and allows users to interact with computer hardware and software programs.
This is when the story starts... IBM was a reputed tech company during that time. Any computer they would make would definitely have a remarkable impact on the world.
Where they could find this software now?
They were in search of an operating system that had capabilities that no other operating system in the market would have.
Any decision they would take would have an incredible impact on history.
Here in this search of the operating system lies one of the saddest stories in the history of personal computing.
When they were building the personal computer they had approached Microsoft to build an operating system.
Before giving any information on the project they asked Bill Gates to sign a non-disclosure agreement. Bill Gates was initially mistaken for an Office intern.
Under the non-disclosure agreement, Bill had to keep IBM's project a secret.
During that time Microsoft did not actually have any operating system. So Bill Gates, referred them to Gary Kildall as he had invented an operating system called CP/M.
IBM team without wasting any time leaves to visit Gary. Bill informs Gary Kildall about the team. But as he had signed a non-disclosure agreement he could not tell Gary who actually was visiting. However, he gave Gary a clue saying - "They are important people, treat them right."
The worst time for Gary Kildall
Gary was an easygoing person and could not understand the seriousness of what Bill Gates was saying. He must have thought it was some small company, not the tech giant. When the IBM team reached Gary's home, Gary had left for a business trip on his private plane.
In the absence of Gary, the IBM team gets to speak to Gary"s wife Dorothy Kildall who was head of operations in DRI. The lawyers wanted Dorothy Kildall to sign a similar non-disclosure agreement as they had asked Bill Gates to sign earlier. Dorothy was not impressed and hesitant to sign the agreement. But as she declined to sign the non-disclosure agreement IBM left Gary's home with frustration with no deal taking place.
After a few days, the IBM team again visited Bill Gates a second time. Bill Gates was opportunistic and did not want to give Gary Kildall a second chance. He knew what IBM was capable of. He knew that IBM could transform itself as a leader in the PC market. He sensed this as an opportunity that would change his life.
Bill Gates suggested that Microsoft could make an operating system for IBM PC.
In the shortest time, Microsoft contacted Seattle Computer Products, manufacturers of CP/M Clones called Q-DOS (Quick and Dirty Operating System) also known as 86-DOS or PC-DOS.
In essence, the code used for this operating system was a ripoff from CP/M, the operating system that Gary had developed.
Bill Gates purchased the operating system. Microsoft now had its hands on a working operating system with this rip-off of CP/M. Microsoft renamed this clone of CP/M as MS-DOS and presented it to IBM.
The first IBM personal computer was released in the year 1981 and had sales of around 250,000 pcs. With gaining more sales IBM had smashed Apple and took over them in the market to be the world's largest Personal Computer manufacturer.
Everything was going good for Bill Gates. He was soon going to be a billionaire.
Since the IBM PC was made from off-the-shelf parts, Compaq and HP started to make their PC clones with the same parts.
MS-DOS was to be licensed to IBM for a one-time fee of $50,000. However, as per the agreement, Microsoft actually did not give IBM a non-exclusive license of MS-DOS. Hence it was also able to license MS-DOS to other PC manufacturers including IBM competitors.
Soon all PC manufacturers were selling personal computers with MS-DOS alongside and Microsoft was earning license fees on each PC sold in the market.
MS-DOS was the foundation for MS-WINDOWS which we know today as the most popular operating system.
You can watch the history of MS-WINDOWS from version 1.0 to 11 in the above video. It is quite satisfying to see how it transformed from MS-DOS to WINDOWS that we use today.
This licensing deal was the greatest business deal in history, making Bill Gates a Billionaire. Conversely, Gary Kildall's failure - not being in the right place, at the right time was called the biggest business failure in history.
Seeing the success of Bill Gates, Gary Kildall realized what he had lost. He sued IBM and in the settlement, IBM offered to sell IBM-PC with CP/M alongside the MS-DOS. Gary was now happy that people could make the choice to either buy the original CP/M or a clone.
There was a big problem here. Gary's CP/M was priced at $240, while Bill's MS-DOS was selling at $40.
So what do you think people chose?
Two pieces of software are identically doing the same thing but one is priced lower. This was a disaster for Gary Kildall. CP/M was faded to unknown by the late 1980s. Gary lost to a clone of his own software.
This did not go well with Gary. He never sued IBM and Microsoft again. The guilt of missing out on the greatest opportunity made Dorothy Kildall divorce Gary. The importance of that moment when Gary missed the opportunity meant that he would forever be reminded of his greatest failure even if Gary did make a comeback.
Gary Kildall went into depression and eventually died in a fistfight at the biker bar.
Though Gary Kildall invented the first operating system, he remains an obscure name in the history of technology. Just the moment of the unfortunate events led to Gary's failure and disappointment. If he had understood the seriousness of the opportunity then he might have been today's, Bill Gates.
Lessons We Can Learn From The Story Of Gary Kildall
Lesson 1: Seize Opportunities as They Arise
Gary Kildall was a visionary computer scientist whose creation of CP/M (Control Program for Microcomputers) became the standard operating system for early personal computers. However, one of the key lessons from Kildall's story is the importance of seizing opportunities.
When IBM approached him to license CP/M for their first personal computer, Kildall missed a critical chance by refusing to meet with them. Instead, IBM turned to Microsoft and negotiated with Bill Gates, ultimately choosing MS-DOS, the operating system that would propel Gates into tech stardom.
Gary Kildall's story teaches us that opportunities may not always come around again and that being proactive can make a significant difference.
Lesson 2: The Power of Timing
Timing is a recurring theme in Kildall's story. His innovations occurred just before the world was ready to embrace personal computing fully. Despite his brilliance and contributions, Kildall’s timing in the market was unfortunate.
This highlights a crucial lesson: to be in the right place at the right time can be as important as having a groundbreaking idea.
Entrepreneurs and innovators must not only have great concepts but also recognize the right moments to launch or scale their ideas successfully.
Lesson 3: Innovate and Adapt
Throughout his career, Kildall demonstrated a knack for innovation—his early work on microcomputers was groundbreaking.
However, failing to adapt to the needs of the growing market ultimately held him back. The lesson here is that innovation is vital, but so is adaptability.
The lesson here we can learn from the story of Gary Kildall is entrepreneurs must continually assess their products and be ready to pivot based on market demands and technological advancements.
Lesson 4: The Importance of Networking
Kildall was an introvert who preferred the company of machines over people. His story underscores the value of networking and building relationships in business.
While Gary Kildall's innovations were crucial, forming strategic partnerships could have provided him with the visibility and leverage needed to compete more effectively in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the story of Gary Kildall, a visionary whose groundbreaking contributions to the computing world remain overshadowed by the meteoric rise of Microsoft, serves as a powerful reminder of the delicate interplay between opportunity and timing.
As we reflect on Gary Kildall's journey—his brilliance, boldness, and the unfortunate twists of fate we must consider how crucial it is to seize the moments that come our way. His narrative teaches us that success is not solely defined by talent or innovation but also by one’s ability to capitalize on the right opportunities when they arise.
As you move forward, remember the lessons woven throughout Gary Kildall's experience: embrace your unique path, stay alert to the potential surrounding you, and be ready to leap into action when the moment strikes.
The story also invites us to contemplate the broader implications of legacy and recognition in the fast-paced tech landscape. By learning from Gary Kildall's life, we can navigate our own careers with greater insight, knowing that fortune often favors the prepared mind.
Thank you for joining us in exploring this remarkable tale; may it inspire you to create the most of your own opportunities and write your own story of success.
Do let us know in the comments, what is your take from this failure story? And I've also included a link to our other blog on Ratan Tata's success story below. I hope you'll find it interesting.
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