Reynold Johnson

Updated: 12/31/2022 by Computer Hope
Reynold Johnson

Name: Reynold B. Johnson

Born: July 16, 1906

Death: September 15, 1998 (Age: 92)

Computer-related contributions

  • American inventor and computer pioneer known as the father of the disk drive.
  • IBM introduced the IBM Type 805 International Test Scoring Machine is introduced, giving rise to the familiar "fill-in-the-bubble" test score sheets (optical mark reading). The test-scorer, primarily designed by Reynold Johnson, uses the conductivity of pencil marks to sense correct and incorrect answers.
  • He also invented the videocassette tape.
  • Developed the microphonograph technology used in the Fisher Price "Talk to Me Books."
  • He obtained more than 90 patents.

Honors and awards

  • Retired IBM Fellow Reynold B. Johnson receives the National Medal of Technology from U.S. President Ronald Reagan for his pioneering work in developing the IBM 350 RAMAC (Random Access Method of Accounting and Control) disk file, an advance that helped make possible on-line computing systems. (1986)