Fascinating facts about the invention of the PC Modem by Dennis Hayes in 1977
From PC MODEM
Modem, device that converts between analog and digital signals.
Digital signals, which are used by computers, are made up of separate
units, usually represented by a series of 1's and 0's. Analog signals
vary continuously; an example of an analog signal is a sound
wave. Modems are often used to enable computers to communicate with
each other across telephone lines. A modem converts the digital
signals of the sending computer to analog signals that can be
transmitted through telephone lines. When the signal reaches its
destination, another modem reconstructs the original digital signal,
which is processed by the receiving computer. If both modems can
transmit data to each other simultaneously, the modems are operating
in full duplex mode; if only one modem can transmit at a time, the
modems are operating in half duplex mode.
To convert a digital signal to an analog one, the modem generates a
carrier wave and modulates it according to the digital signal. The
kind of modulation used depends on the application and the speed of
operation for which the modem is designed. For example, many
high-speed modems use a combination of amplitude modulation, where the
amplitude of the carrier wave is changed to encode the digital
information, and phase modulation, where the phase of the carrier wave
is changed to encode the digital information. The process of receiving
the analog signal and converting it back to a digital signal is called
demodulation. The word "modem" is a contraction of its two basic
functions: modulation and demodulation.
Dennis C. Hayes invented the PC modem in 1977, establishing the
critical technology that allowed today's online and Internet
industries to emerge and grow.
He sold the first Hayes modem products to computer hobbyists in April
of 1977 and founded D.C. Hayes Associates, Inc., the company known
today as Hayes Corp., in January of 1978. Hayes quality and innovation
resulted in performance enhancements and cost reductions that led the
industry in the conversion from leased line modems to intelligent dial
modems -- the PC Modem.
Hayes-Compatible, in computer science, an adjective used to describe a
modem that responds to the same set of commands as a modem
manufactured by Hayes Microcomputer Products, originators of the de
facto standard for microcomputer modems.
TO LEARN MORE:
RELATED INFORMATION:
Dennis C Hayes, Inventor Profile from The Great Idea Finder
History of Computing from The Great Idea Finder
ON THE WEB:
Zoom Telephonics, Inc.
This company acquired most of the modem assets of Hayes Corporation.
(URL http:// www.zoom.com/news.shtml )
The Rise and Fall of the Modem King
Dennis C. Hayes begins selling personal computer modem products
to computer hobbyists. Initially, the modems are boards for the S-100 bus,
and later for the Apple II. International Herald Tribune. Article by
Victoria Shannon. (URL http:// timeline.textfiles.com/1977/ )
Hayes Compatible
There was a time when Hayes compatible meant something.
(URL http:// www.pcwebopaedia.com/TERM/H/Hayes_compatible.html )
Modem Standards
The organization that now sets modem standards is the International
Telecommunication Union. (URL: http://www.itu.int/home/index.html )
Computer History
Timeline of computer history from BC to the present. Presented
by Computer Hope, free help for computer users.History for 1960 - 1980
(URL http://www.computerhope.com/history/196080.htm )
Buzz Words
A Glossary of Modem Terms (URL http://www.v90.com/glossary.htm )
Modems (This site has closed.)
The latest, and last, analog modem standard is called v.90, and
everything you ever wanted to know about modems.
(URL http://www.modemshop.com/mdic210.txt )
Modem pioneer struggles for survival (Article removed.)
The company is offering a new product -- a limited-edition, 56K
20th anniversary modem, signed by Dennis Hayess. Article from USA TODAY, by
The Associated Press. (URL http://www.usatoday.com/life/cyber/tech/ctd913.htm )
HOW IT WORKS:
How Modems Work
From the popular How Stuff Works Web site by Marshall Brain.
Lots of COOKIES and POP-UP ADS at this site.
DID YOU KNOW?:
a.. 1978 -- Dennis C. Hayes and partner Dale Heatherington,
working on Hayes' dining room table, develop first personal-computer modem
and formed a company.
b.. 1985 -- Hayes annual sales hit $120 million as popularity
of home computers grows.
Reference Sources in BOLD Type This page revised March, 2005.
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