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Alan F. Shugart was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1930.

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Alan F. Shugart

2005 Fellow

For his lifelong contributions to the creation of the modern disk drive industry

"It is important to remember when starting and growing a new company that cash is more important than your mother."

— Alan F. Shugart

Alan F. Shugart was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1930. He received a BS in engineering physics from the University of Redlands (1951).

In 1951, Shugart began his career at IBM as a field engineer, solving customer problems at their offices. He rose quickly through the organization as an effective leader who inspired great loyalty in team members. Over his 18-year career at IBM, Shugart contributed to or managed a number of difficult disk drive development programs, including the groundbreaking RAMAC-IBM's (and the world's) first disk drive.

Shugart left for Memorex in 1969. He stayed until 1972, then launched Shugart Associates, where he led efforts to perfect the eight-inch floppy disk drive as a mass-produced device. After a dispute over company direction with his board, Shugart left in 1974.

In 1979, he and Finis C

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Floppy Flop

A quick note to readers: Tedium is changing its format starting the week of July 31st. We will publish two shorter quick-hit pieces a week, possibly three depending on mood and news cycle, along with one traditionally long one that will publish on Fridays. This is being done to vary the format, make it more flexible, and to lower stress potential. (Also, I want my weekends back.) More thoughts here. Anyway, let’s get into it.

Today in Tedium: There’s this common plot line that often comes up with tech startups. A person has an idea, and it’s got enough potential that they decide it’s worth following through. The problem is, sometimes that idea needs money, and that money has influence attached. Try as they might to look for money from other sources, they ultimately have to go with professional investors who do this for a living, often known as venture capitalists. They seem friendly enough, but ultimately their money shapes your trajectory. It gives you a runway, perhaps of a couple of years, but it only goes so far, and if things don’t work out, they might put

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Alan Shugart

Born and raised in California, Alan Shugart attended the University of Redlands where he earned a Bachelor of Science in engineering physics. Al played a key role in determining the future of information technology. He worked for IBM Corporation for 18 years, starting as a field engineer in 1951, the day after he finished college. He worked as a manager of a variety of programs and became director of Engineering for the Systems Development Division.

In 1979, Shugart founded Seagate Technology, Inc., building the company into the world’s largest independent manufacturer of disk drives and related components, as well as a leading developer of software tools and applications in the area of data management, including information management, network and systems management and storage management. Shugart also held positions on the board of several major technology companies, including SanDisk Corporation and Cypress Semiconductor.

Shugart is the author of three books: Ernest Goes To Washington (Well, Not Exactly), the true story of Ernest’s run for Congress, Fandang