Remembering Bill Atkinson: The Macintosh Pioneer and Creator of HyperCard Who Shaped Digital Innovation at 74

I met Bill Atkinson for the first time in November 1983. I was there to write for Rolling Stone about the team working on the Macintosh. Everyone mentioned Bill and Andy Hertzfeld, key players in the project. They set high expectations for my meeting with Bill.

Bill was tall, with wild hair and bright blue eyes. He had an intense energy, like a character from a movie. As he brushed aside his pride, he asked, “Want to see a bug?” He showcased a stunning drawing of an insect on his Macintosh. It was beautiful—something you’d expect from a lab, not a personal computer.

Bill’s words lingered: “The barrier between words and pictures is broken. The world of art is for daily use now.” He was right. His work led to groundbreaking changes in computing.

Over the years, Atkinson played a crucial role in making the Macintosh what it is today. He also created HyperCard, a program that laid the groundwork for the World Wide Web. His energy inspired many in the tech world. Sadly, he passed away on June 5, 2025, after a long illness.

Atkinson didn’t start as a tech pioneer. He studied computer science and neurobiology at the University of Washington. His love for computers began with an Apple II in 1977, leading him to join Apple as employee number 51.

In 1979, he was part of a small group Steve Jobs took to Xerox PARC. There, he was captivated by the graphical user interface. He translated this advanced tech to consumers while working on the Lisa project and developed many elements still in use today, like menu bars and the revolutionary QuickDraw technology.

Bill created the “Round-Rect”—a box with rounded corners that became a staple in computing design. Initially hesitant about it, Jobs encouraged Bill to see everyday objects, ultimately convincing him of its value.

When the Macintosh project emerged, Jobs brought Atkinson aboard. Influenced by Atkinson’s Lisa work, Hertzfeld later remarked, “Anything Bill Atkinson did, I took, and nothing else.” Atkinson embraced the Macintosh’s vision of affordability and created MacPaint, which let users bring their art to life.

After the Macintosh launch, tension brewed among the team. With the title of Apple Fellow, Atkinson could pursue what he loved. He envisioned a high-resolution, lightweight device called Magic Slate—a precursor to the iPad, controlled by a stylus and touch screen. Unfortunately, technology wasn’t quite ready to make his dream a reality.

Today, Atkinson’s influence is evident in our daily tech. His passion and vision opened doors for how we interact with computers. His journey reminds us how creativity and innovation can reshape our world.

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