Dr. Adam Osborne's Professional Career:

Osborne worked as a Chemical Engineer with Shell Oil in California, United States; he left Shell Oil in the early 1970s and was given the job of writing instructions for Intel’s new microprocessor. In 1972, Osborne formed Osborne and Associates, which specialized in easy-to-read computer manuals. He wrote a book entitled The Value of Power, which was later titled An Introduction to Microcomputers. This book was included with every IMSAI computer (product of the IMSAI Manufacturing Corporation) that was sold. Osborne then founded a publishing company called Osborne Books. By 1977 Osborne Books had published 40 books. In 1979, Osborne Books was bought out by McGraw – Hill. During the same time, Osborne began writing for computer magazines Interface Age and later Infoworld.

In March 1980, at the West Coast Computer Faire, Osborne approached Lee Felsenstein about starting a hardware company that would produce an affordable portable computer and offer bundled software with the machine. Osborne founded the Osborne Computer Corporation in 1980. In April 1981, he created the first portable computer, the Osborne 1. In 1983, Osborne bragged about two advanced new computers his company was working on, which destroyed consumer demand for the Osborne 1, resulting in inventory glut. In May 1983, he released the Osborne Executive. Osborne Computer Corporation was forced to file for bankruptcy on September 13, 1983, due to inventory glut. The marketing blunder which led to this state was known as “Osborneing”. In the mid 1980’s, Osborne re-emerged from bankruptcy and released the Osborne Vixen in 1985.

In 1984, Osborne founded Paperback Software International Ltd., a company that specialized in inexpensive computer software. In 1985, Osborne’s book, Hypergrowth, which was a memoir of his experience, was published. In the year 1987, Lotus sued Paperback Software, for producing an inexpensive clone of Lotus 1-2-3, namely V P Planner. By 1989, public fear over the lawsuit caused Paperback Software’s revenues to drop by 80% and prevented the firm from getting venture capital for expansion. The case went to court in February 1990. In March 1990, Osborne stepped down from Paperback Software. On June 28, 1990, the court ruled that Paperback Software’s product, by copying Lotus 1-2-3’s look and menu interface, violated Lotus’ copyright.

In 1992, Osborne’s health began to decline; he moved to his sister Katya Douglas’ home in Kodaikanal, a hill station in Tamil Nadu, India. Allied with an India-based computer company, he founded Noetics Software to commercialize advances in fuzzy logic and neural network systems – this plan, apparently never came to realization.