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Introduction
Robert Metcalfe is a name that is synonymous with the development of Ethernet, a technology that has revolutionized the way we communicate and share information. Born on April 7, 1946, in Brooklyn, New York, Robert Metcalfe went on to become an electrical engineer and computer scientist, and is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of computer networking.
Early Life and Education
Robert Metcalfe grew up in Massachusetts, where he attended the prestigious Belmont Hill School. He went on to study at MIT, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering in 1969. He later went on to earn a Master of Science degree and a Ph.D. in computer science from Harvard University.
Career
After completing his education, Robert Metcalfe went on to work at Xerox Corporation’s Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), where he developed Ethernet, a technology that allows multiple computers to communicate with each other over a network. Ethernet has since become the standard for local area networks (LANs) around the world, and has been instrumental in the development of the internet.
After leaving Xerox in 1983, Robert Metcalfe went on to co-found 3Com Corporation, a company that specializes in computer networking equipment. He served as CEO of the company until 1990, and remained on its board of directors until 2000.
Robert Metcalfe has also been involved in a number of other ventures throughout his career, including serving as a venture capitalist and as a professor of innovation at the University of Texas at Austin.
Net Worth
Robert Metcalfe’s net worth is estimated to be around $400 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. This is largely due to his success as a co-founder of 3Com Corporation, which was eventually acquired by Hewlett-Packard for $2.7 billion in 2010.
Early Career and Xerox PARC
Robert Metcalfe began his career at Xerox Corporation’s Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) in 1973, where he worked on the development of computer networking technologies. It was during this time that he developed Ethernet, a technology that would go on to revolutionize the way we communicate and share information.
Metcalfe’s early work on Ethernet was focused on developing a way for multiple computers to share a single printer. He realized that the same concept could be applied to sharing files and data, and thus Ethernet was born.
3Com Corporation
Robert Metcalfe left Xerox in 1983 to co-found 3Com Corporation, a company that specializes in computer networking equipment. The company’s first product was the 3Com Ethernet adapter, which allowed multiple computers to communicate with each other over a network.
Under Metcalfe’s leadership, 3Com grew rapidly, and by the mid-1990s it was one of the largest computer networking companies in the world. Metcalfe served as CEO of the company until 1990, and remained on its board of directors until 2000.
Venture Capital
After leaving 3Com, Robert Metcalfe became a venture capitalist, investing in a number of startups in the technology industry. He also served as a professor of innovation at the University of Texas at Austin, where he helped to mentor the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Conclusion
Robert Metcalfe’s contributions to the development of computer networking technologies have had a profound impact on the world we live in today. Ethernet has become the standard for local area networks around the world, and has been instrumental in the development of the internet.
Metcalfe’s success as a co-founder of 3Com Corporation has also made him one of the wealthiest people in the technology industry, with a net worth of around $400 million.
As we look to the future of technology, it is clear that Robert Metcalfe’s legacy will continue to shape the way we communicate and share information for years to come.
