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Computer Museum of America’s
Hall of Fame

In 2024, the Computer Museum of America launched its Hall of Fame to honor individuals who have made remarkable contributions to the field of computer technology, spanning both hardware and software development.

Each year, one or two inductees will be chosen by a committee from a list of nominees submitted through the Computer Museum of America’s website. Nominees are evaluated based on their impact on the information technology industry, with an ideal candidate being someone who has driven progress through innovation and creativity. Their achievements not only advanced the field but also inspired further advancements, earning them a distinguished place in the industry.

The selection committee consists of a chairperson, a member of the CMoA board, a museum staff member, and a representative from the technology industry or academia.

Honorees will be recognized at BYTE, CMoA’s annual fundraiser taking place on Thursday, March 6, 2025. They will receive a plaque featuring their photo and a brief biography, to be displayed in the museum, a keepsake certificate, and a reserved table for eight to BYTE.

Nominations being accepted through December 20, 2024.

Nominate a 2025 CMoA Hall of Fame
Click or drag files to this area to upload. You can upload up to 3 files.
Click or drag files to this area to upload. You can upload up to 2 files.

Dale Alan Heatherington
1948-2021

Dale Heatherington was born in Orlando, Florida.  He received an Associates Degree in Electrical Engineering Technology from Southern Technical Institute (STI) in Marietta, GA in 1969.  His first full-time job was with Norman’s Electronics in Brookhaven, GA.  While working at National Data Corporation, he started building computer modems and became a co-partner and co-owner of DC Hayes Associates in 1978.  In 1980, his company became Hayes Microcomputer Products, Inc. in Norcross, GA.  Dale was the inventor of the personal computer modem. The Hayes Smartmodem became the standard of the industry.  Dale also defined the AT command set which is still in use today not only in modems but also in Bluetooth devices.  After seeing his company take over much of the market (selling 140,000 modems in 1982), he retired in 1984 at the age of 36.  Dale holds 5 modem technology patents (one for the AT command set) and one joint patent for a remote data line monitor.

During his retirement, he continued to tinker with technology in his personal lab and small machine shop.  In recent years, he enjoyed building robots and entering them in competitions sponsored by Atlanta Hobby Robot Club, DragonCon, and other organizations throughout the south.  His philanthropic efforts included donating a Mechatronics Lab to STI.

More information is available at:
http://www.wa4dsy.com/heatherington/hayes/index.html
(includes schematics and source code for modems)

http://robots.wa4dsy.net/home/about

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayes_Microcomputer_Products

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dale_Heatherington

https://engineering.kennesaw.edu/robotics-mechatronics/students/mechatronics-lab.php

https://www.dropbox.com/s/awapjf4pvphqbnp/DALE%20short%20version%20finalPPrevusuib%20215%20pmaug%201.mp4?dl=0