American computer scientist who was awarded the Eckert-Mauchly Award for his important contributions toward the development of the minicomputer, multiprocessor computers, and personal computers. Minicomputers were the first step toward bridging the gap between large mainframe computers and personal computers. They gave way to desktop workstations and, eventually, to very powerful and inexpensive personal computers. All of these types of computers have been important in bringing greater computer performance to an increasing number of people.