Nick DeWolf
Co-founder of Teradyne, designer of the first computer-operated IC tester.
Nicholas DeWolf (July 12, 1928 – April 16, 2006) co-founded Teradyne, a company in Boston that makes automatic test equipment, alongside his MIT classmate Alex d'Arbeloff in 1960.
Born in Philadelphia, DeWolf earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and computer science from MIT in 1948. During his eleven-year tenure as Teradyne's CEO, he was responsible for designing over 300 test systems for semiconductors and other electronics. Among these was the J259, the first integrated circuit tester to be run by a computer.
After leaving Teradyne in 1971, DeWolf relocated to Aspen, Colorado. In 1979, he worked with artist Travis Fulton to build Aspen's "dancing fountain." He also engineered a computer—the ON!—that lacked hard disks and fans and could boot up in seconds, a speed that surpassed even contemporary machines.
DeWolf received the SEMI Award for North America in 1979, the Telluride Tech Festival Award of Technology in 2001, and was inducted into the Aspen Hall of Fame alongside his wife Maggie in 2005.
Beyond engineering, DeWolf was a photographer. His son-in-law and archivist, Steve Lundeen, is digitizing his complete collection and posting it on Flickr.
DeWolf passed away in Aspen at age 77.
Quick Facts
- Birth Date
- July 12, 1928
- Birth Place
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Death Date
- 2006-04-16
- Death Place
- Aspen, Colorado
- Occupation
- Engineer, businessman, executive
- Known For
- founding of Teradyne Corporation
- Education
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (S.B., 1948)
- Spouse
- Maggie DeWolf
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Nicholas DeWolf co-founded Teradyne in 1960 with Alex d'Arbeloff, a classmate at MIT. During his eleven years as CEO, he is credited with designing more than 300 semiconductor and other test systems, including the J259, the world's first computer-operated integrated circuit tester. After leaving Teradyne in 1971, DeWolf moved to Aspen, Colorado, where in 1979 he teamed with artist Travis Fulton to create Aspen's 'dancing fountain'. He also designed a computer system without hard disks or fans; this system, the ON! computer, booted up in seconds, a much faster time than even the computers of today.
Reader's Guide
DeWolf's significance lies in his pioneering work in automatic test equipment (ATE) and his later innovations. As co-founder and CEO of Teradyne, he designed over 300 test systems, most notably the J259, the first computer-operated integrated circuit tester, which revolutionized semiconductor testing. After leaving Teradyne, he continued to innovate, creating Aspen's 'dancing fountain' with artist Travis Fulton and designing the ON! computer, which booted in seconds—faster than contemporary computers—by eliminating hard disks and fans. His legacy is recognized through awards such as the 1979 SEMI Award for North America and the 2001 Telluride Tech Festival Award of Technology, and his 2005 induction into the Aspen Hall of Fame with his wife Maggie DeWolf. His photographic archive is being preserved online by his son-in-law.
Did You Know?
- After leaving Teradyne in 1971, he moved to Aspen, Colorado, and in 1979 created the 'dancing fountain' with artist Travis Fulton.
- He designed the ON! computer, which booted in seconds, faster than even computers of today, and had no hard disks or fans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Nick DeWolf?
Nicholas DeWolf (1928–2006) was a Philadelphia-born electrical engineer and computer scientist who graduated from MIT in 1948 and went on to co-found the Boston-based test equipment firm Teradyne.
Who did DeWolf partner with to start Teradyne?
He teamed up with his MIT classmate Alex d'Arbeloff in 1960 to build a company dedicated to manufacturing automatic test equipment for the electronics industry.
What was DeWolf's most notable technical achievement?
Over his eleven-year stint as CEO he oversaw the design of more than 300 semiconductor and electronics test systems, including the J259, the first integrated-circuit tester operated by a computer.
How long did DeWolf lead Teradyne?
He served as the company's chief executive from its founding in 1960 until he stepped down in 1971, a span of eleven years.
What happened to DeWolf after he left Teradyne?
He relocated to Aspen, Colorado, and remained there until his passing in April 2006.
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