1940-2011 Gerald "Jerry" Anderson Lawson, Computer game innovator

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Gerald "Jerry Anderson Lawson, Computer game innovator 

(1940-2011)

Photo: Courtesy of blackpast.org

As a boy Lawson pursued a number of scientific interests, ham radio and chemistry among them. As a teenager Lawson earned money repairing television sets. During the 1960s Lawson attended both Queens College and the City College of New York, but never received a degree. His interest in computing led him in the 1970s to Silicon Valley’s Homebrew Computer Club, where he and Ron Jones were the only black members. While with the club Dawson crossed paths with Apple Computer Inc.’s founders, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. During this period Lawson invented an early coin-operated arcade game, Demolition Derby. In 1976, while working as Fairchild Semiconductor’s director of engineering and marketing, Dawson helped to develop The Fairchild Channel F, which allowed users to insert different cartridges that stored new games.  

MARCH 31, 2014 CONTRIBUTED BY: GILL SOBERS-OUTLAW