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Received Bachelor's Degree - Washington University
After studying psychology, mathematics, and physics, Licklider received a bachelor's degree from Washington University -
Received Doctorate in Psychology - University of Rochester
After getting his master's degree in psychology in 1938 from Washington University, Licklider then went on to receive his doctorate in psychology from the University of Rochester in New York. -
Joined MIT
Before joining MIT, Licklider was lecturing classes at Harvard. He became interested in computers and what they could be capable of. -
Licklider Left MIT
In 1957, Licklider left MIT to further pursue his passion for computers. Leaving MIT, he joined the acoustic consulting firm of Bolt Beranek and Newman. -
Learns About Time-Sharing
During a conference in Paris, Lick learns about time-sharing thanks to Christopher Strachey. He then uses this to develop a time-sharing device later on called the BBN Time-Sharing System. -
1960 Paper "Man-Computer Symbiosis"
Considered one of the most important papers in computer science history, Licklider proposes that merging the human mind and computers would result in better decision making -
Joined U.S. Defense Department's ARPA (Advanced Research Projects Agency)
In October of 1962, Licklider joined ARPA as the director of the Information Processing Techniques Office (IPTO). -
Lick Leaves BBN
During this year, Lick leaves BBN (Bolt Beranek and Newman) to become director of IPTO over at ARPA. His studies at BBN was supposed to be a five-year effort, but was cut short to two years. -
Memo to “Members and Affiliates of the Intergalactic Computer Network”
Licklider wanted to create a solution to a problem where computers were incompatible in communicating with one another. He writes, “If such a network as I envisage nebulously could be brought into operation, we would have at least four large computers, perhaps six or eight small computers, and a great assortment of disc files and magnetic tape units—not to mention the remote consoles and teletype stations—all churning away.” -
Joined IBM as a Consultant
From the years 1964-1967, Licklider was a consultant for IBM. There, he would serve as a manager of information sciences, systems and applications. -
Back to MIT
To direct Project MAC, Lick goes back to MIT in order to direct the project and also be a professor in electrical engineering. -
Back to U.S. Department of Defense
Lick takes a years absence from MIT in order to help out the Department of Defense, once again as a director of the IPTO. -
Lick returns to MIT...Until Retirement
Licklider is done with government services and returns to MIT, where he resides until his retirement. -
Retirement
After all of his hard work, Licklider retires... sort of. After retirement, he became professor emeritus. -
J.C.R. Licklider Passes Away
On June 26, 1990, J.C.R. passes away in Arlington, Massachusetts.