John W. Seybold -- The "father" of computer typesetting

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

Delivered-To: dfarber+ () ux13 sp cs cmu edu
Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2004 07:04:46 -0800
From: Andrew Seybold <andy () 4mobility com>
Subject: RE: [IP] For your information and perhaps IP
To: dave () farber net

Dave--don't know how many in your group remember my father but wanted to
get this to you--best regards,

Andy

John W. Seybold
The "father" of computer typesetting

 Haverford, PA, March 14, 2004 -- John W. Seybold, the spiritual
"father" of the computer revolution that transformed publishing - and
the father of three generations of technology pioneers - died today of
heart failure. He was 88.
For centuries, anyone wanting to communicate written words, drawings and
photographs to a wide audience had to rely on skilled typesetters,
engravers and other craft professionals using the industrial tools of
the printing industry. Within a few decades, this has completely
changed. First at his company, Rocappi, where the pioneering work was
done, and later at the Seybold Report where he helped to shape and
direct a broader revolution, John Seybold played the pivotal role in
transforming an entire industry.
Rocappi (Research on Computer Applications in the Printing and
Publishing Industries) was the world's first commercial computer
typesetting "service bureau." Between 1963 and 1970, John and his team
at Rocappi essentially invented and put into commercial practice most of
the concepts now used to create, edit, format, and manipulate text
information for print or electronic distribution.
After leaving Rocappi, John and his son Jonathan launched the Seybold
Report. This quickly became the "Bible" for everyone engaged in the
convergence of computers and publishing. Twice a month, the Seybold
Report provided in-depth analysis and evaluation of new technology and
technological trends -- as well as serving as a "community center" for a
growing international community of publishing revolutionaries.
As innovator, entrepreneur, author, consultant, lecturer, mentor, and
role model, John was the "guiding light" for the technologists and
publishers who re-made the publishing industry in the 1960s, 1970s, and
1980s. There is no aspect of publishing today -- whether it is print
publishing or on-line publishing -- that is not fundamentally different
because of what these pioneers accomplished.
        His influence and example were so strong that all of his
children have continued the family tradition and extended their father's
heritage: Jonathan in computer publishing, desktop publishing,  and
digital convergence (the Seybold Seminars and Digital World conferences
and trade shows), Andrew in mobile computing (Outlook 4Mobility),  and
Patricia in technology solutions for sales and marketing (the Patricia
Seybold Group, Customers.com). He is also survived by his wife, Trudie
and by grandchildren Andrew Jr., Jesse, Nancy, and Karen. Two of his
grandchildren are computing and Web professionals.
                John was an active member of the Religious Society of
Friends, a long-time member of the Board of Directors of the American
Friends Service Committee, and served as a Labor Arbitrator for almost
30 years. He composed his first poetry before he entered kindergarten,
and continued to write all of his life. He also learned to play the
cello as a child and continued that, too, all of his life.
        As a man of tremendous integrity, intellect, compassion, and
creativity he brought out the best in all who knew him.

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