A Virtual Company Enhancing People-to-People Communication
A Virtual Company Enhancing People-to-People Communication
Back to the Future
In the late 1970s, a remarkable journey of innovation unfolded in the most unlikely of places—a garage in the heart of technological obscurity.
Alek Szlam, a visionary tinkerer, embarked on a quest to turn his ingenious ideas into reality.
It was an era where technology was worlds apart from the streamlined, digital realm we know today.
Designing intricate electronic systems, related firmware and software required sheer determination, meticulous planning, and a dash of resourcefulness.
Alek's story began with a spark—an idea so vivid in his mind that he could practically hear its components humming to life.
Armed with a vision of what his assembly was meant to achieve, he embarked on a journey that would define his legacy.
In an age devoid of computer design software, CAD-CAM systems, and the convenience of electronic circuitry layouts, every step was a laborious feat of craftsmanship.
Alek's first challenge was to determine whether his creation would reside on a single printed circuit board (PCB) or if it would manifest as a symphony of interconnected PCB modules.
The fate of his invention hinged on this crucial decision.
With a pencil in hand and a sheet of paper before him, Alek meticulously sketched schematics of his design.
Each line and symbol represented a vital component, and he paid unwavering attention to the specifications, right down to the micro and nanoseconds, as well as picoseconds response times.
The next step was a journey to the outskirts of Huntsville, Alabama, where Alek met with a PCB layout expert named Ray.
Ray operated from his humble "trailer home" amidst a sea of untamed wilderness.
Here, in this oasis of analog creation, Ray interpreted Alek's designs with precision.
He applied black adhesive tape to represent the intricate interconnections, semiconductor chips, digital gates, and a myriad of electronic components onto translucent Mylar sheets, each double-sized for the forthcoming photographic processing.
The final Mylar layout was a work of art, a masterpiece of meticulous craftsmanship.
It served as the blueprint for the future Printed Circuit Board (PCB), upon which every component would be meticulously soldered.
Every single connection had to be verified against Alek's original design drawings, a painstaking process that consumed countless hours.
Alek then embarked on a journey to a PCB fabrication shop in Atlanta, where it took several days for the shop to transform his Mylar visions into tangible PCB boards.
Upon their completion, Alek brought them home, first to his apartment in Marietta.
Here, armed with the necessary components and a soldering gun, he embarked on the delicate task of inserting each component into its designated place, soldering them with the precision of a master craftsman.
But it didn't end there.
Alek had to prepare for testing by devising and writing testing firmware and software, a testament to his foresight and meticulous planning. These tools would aid in validating the modules' proper functions and performance.
Hours upon hours were dedicated to the thorough testing of the board assemblies, a laborious process that demanded both expertise and patience.
Sometimes, the PCBs required minor modifications, involving the delicate art of cutting connection lines and soldering bypass wires. It was all in the pursuit of perfection, a pursuit that Alek Szlam took to heart.
Finally, after relentless dedication and unwavering determination, the moment arrived when the entire final product had to be tested as an operational unit.
It had to perform every task it was designed to accomplish, a testament to Alek's relentless pursuit of technological excellence.
Alek Szlam's journey from an idea in a garage to a 100 million-dollar company was an epic tale of perseverance, craftsmanship, and innovation.
In an era where technology was shaped by hand and soldered with passion, Alek's vision carved a path through the analog wilderness, ultimately paving the way for a brighter digital future and a new industry.