Paul Rosenthal interview: May 16, 1973
Henry S. Tropp · 1999
Paul Rosenthal was born in 1928 and received his BA, MA, and MSA from Temple University. Rosenthal became interested in computing at Temple University from some fellow classmates who were engineers. In 1951, Rosenthal was working for the Philadelphia School System substitute teaching when he obtained an interview with Computer Corporation---the Eckert/Mauchly Group---which started him in the computer field. After training, Rosenthal was assigned a programming task. He was also involved with the systems test routine for the Universal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC) and other problems run in the UNIVAC. Rosenthal discusses individuals who made significant contributions to the field of computing. He mentions Steve Wright, a programmer that Rosenthal considered the father of systems programming. Wright did the first thinking on assemblers and compilers. Herb Mitchell's name is also mentioned as contributing to the field, particularly with regard to hiring individuals and finding talent. Rosenthal comments on the differences between the West and East Coast philosophies in 1955. Rosenthal felt that the real ideas came from the east coast. Frequently mentioned colleagues include Grace Murray Hopper, Erwin Tomash, Courant, and Teller, and Betty Holberton.