Title:
Oral History of Edward M. Esber Jr.

Date:
2004-11-19

Interviewer:
Grier, David; interviewer
Esber, Edward; interviewee
Garcia, Chris; cameraperson
Grad, Burton; editor

Abstract:
In this interview, Edward M. Esber, Jr. (commonly known as Ed) discusses his career with two key software companies: VisiCorp, the publisher of the spreadsheet VisiCalc and other Visi products; and Ashton-Tate, which was primarily known as the producer of the dBase database products. He discusses his early career at IBM, his MBA at the Harvard Business School and a key job that he held at Texas Instruments. In explaining his work at VisiCorp, he talks about his relationship with Dan Fylstra, the company’s relationship with ComputerLand and the importance of both the Apple II computer and the Microsoft DOS operating system. For his career at Ashton-Tate, Esber talks about his management and marketing activities and the company’s merger with Borland Software. The interview explores the connections within the early PC software industry and the general career path of the first leaders of that industry.

Keywords:
Esber, Edward
Personal Software
VisiCorp
Ashton-Tate
Borland
Texas Instruments
Fylstra, Dan
Cole, David
VISICALC
dBase II
Product marketing
Creative Labs
SoloPoint
Product acquisitions
Kahn, Philippe

Rights:
Computer History Museum

102657944