Renowned software and hardware developer, John Walker, has passed away, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and pioneering contributions to the technology industry. Walker, who was also the founder of Autodesk, revolutionized Computer-Aided Design (CAD) by bringing it to mass-market microcomputers with the introduction of AutoCAD in 1982.

Prior to his tenure at Autodesk, Walker gained recognition for creating ANIMAL, a self-replicating computer game, which was considered one of the earliest proto-viruses. His diverse interests led him to sponsor the development of Project Xanadu, a pre-WorldWideWeb distributed hyper-media system, for about a decade.

Despite his ambitious vision for Xanadu to change the world, the project faced challenges, leading to Walker’s departure from Autodesk. Following his departure, he authored ‘The Autodesk File,’ chronicling the history of his renowned company.

Walker’s impact on the technology industry is undeniable, and his contributions will continue to inspire future generations of innovators and developers.