Dr. Mark Dean

Dr. Mark Dean is a pioneering American computer engineer whose innovations helped shape the personal computing revolution. Born on March 2, 1957, in Jefferson City, Tennessee, Dean demonstrated a strong aptitude for technology from an early age. He went on to earn a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tennessee, an M.S. from Florida Atlantic University, and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University. Dean is best known for his groundbreaking work at IBM, where he was one of the lead engineers in developing the IBM personal computer in the early 1980s. He holds three of the original nine patents for the IBM PC and is credited with co-inventing the Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, which allowed multiple devices like printers and disk drives to be connected to a computer. His work made personal computers more practical and accessible for businesses and consumers alike. Over his career, Dr. Dean has earned more than 20 patents and was instrumental in developing the first gigahertz microprocessor. He eventually rose to the position of IBM Fellow—one of the highest honors at the company—and served as Vice President of IBM's Almaden Research Center. Beyond his technical achievements, Dr. Dean is also a trailblazer as one of the first African Americans to reach the highest echelons of engineering and innovation in Silicon Valley. He has received numerous awards, including induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame and the National Academy of Engineering. In later years, Dr. Dean turned to academia, serving as a professor and administrator at the University of Tennessee. His legacy continues to inspire underrepresented minorities in STEM, embodying excellence in both innovation and leadership. Dr. Mark Dean's work has left a permanent mark on the digital world we live in today.