Computer History Museum | Oral History of Brent Townshend @ComputerHistory | Uploaded November 2022 | Updated October 2024, 21 minutes ago.
Interviewed by Dag Spicer on 2022-05-25 in Mountain View, CA
© Computer History Museum
Canadian inventor and electrical engineer, Dr. Brent Townshend, created a core concept in 1996 that served as the basis for what is known as the 56K bit/sec modem, a groundbreaking technology at the time that allowed for data transfer between two computers at high speeds. Digital modems had been developed in the 1950’s for the purpose of transmitting data for the military. AT&T manufactured the first commercial modem in 1962. with a speed of 300 bits per second.
By 1993, modems were performing at around 38.6 kbps, which was considered by many as the maximum speed attainable. Townshend developed an algorithm that enabled 56K downloads from the Internet over standard analog dial-up phone line connections (U.S. Patent No. 5,801,695). This represented a 66 percent improvement over previously existing modems’ performance. In 1998, the V.90 standard that incorporates Townshend’s algorithm was ratified by the International Telecommunications Union. That standard was later updated as the V.92 standard.
Brent Townshend is also a world class photographer, a renowned synthetic biologist, and a successful entrepreneur and early-stage company investor. This Oral History interview discusses the career path of Dr. Townshend, and highlights some of his scientific breakthroughs and key technological innovations.
* Note: Transcripts represent what was said in the interview. However, to enhance meaning or add clarification, interviewees have the opportunity to modify this text afterward. This may result in discrepancies between the transcript and the video. Please refer to the transcript for further information - computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102792696
Visit computerhistory.org/collections/oralhistories for more information about the Computer History Museum's Oral History Collection.
Catalog Number: 102792697
Lot Number: 2022.0080
Interviewed by Dag Spicer on 2022-05-25 in Mountain View, CA
© Computer History Museum
Canadian inventor and electrical engineer, Dr. Brent Townshend, created a core concept in 1996 that served as the basis for what is known as the 56K bit/sec modem, a groundbreaking technology at the time that allowed for data transfer between two computers at high speeds. Digital modems had been developed in the 1950’s for the purpose of transmitting data for the military. AT&T manufactured the first commercial modem in 1962. with a speed of 300 bits per second.
By 1993, modems were performing at around 38.6 kbps, which was considered by many as the maximum speed attainable. Townshend developed an algorithm that enabled 56K downloads from the Internet over standard analog dial-up phone line connections (U.S. Patent No. 5,801,695). This represented a 66 percent improvement over previously existing modems’ performance. In 1998, the V.90 standard that incorporates Townshend’s algorithm was ratified by the International Telecommunications Union. That standard was later updated as the V.92 standard.
Brent Townshend is also a world class photographer, a renowned synthetic biologist, and a successful entrepreneur and early-stage company investor. This Oral History interview discusses the career path of Dr. Townshend, and highlights some of his scientific breakthroughs and key technological innovations.
* Note: Transcripts represent what was said in the interview. However, to enhance meaning or add clarification, interviewees have the opportunity to modify this text afterward. This may result in discrepancies between the transcript and the video. Please refer to the transcript for further information - computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102792696
Visit computerhistory.org/collections/oralhistories for more information about the Computer History Museum's Oral History Collection.
Catalog Number: 102792697
Lot Number: 2022.0080
