Bob O. Evans, a computer scientist who in the 1960s led the development of a new class of mainframe computers–the famous 360s–helping turn IBM into a data-processing power, died Sept. 2 in Hillsborough, Calif. He was 77.
Mr. Evans led the team that developed the IBM System/360, a new class of mainframe computers that changed the way the fledgling computer industry viewed data processing. The new system transformed the basic architecture of computers and substantially reduced the cost of powerful computing.
IBM, already a successful corporation with annual revenues of $3.2 billion, invested more than $5 billion in engineering, factories and equipment to create the System/360, opening five plants and hiring 60,000 employees. On April 7, 1964, Chairman Thomas Watson called the introduction of the System/360, named after degrees in a circle, the most important product announcement in the company’s history.
In April of this year, the Computer History Museum in San Jose, Calif., celebrated the 40th anniversary of the IBM System/360, holding an event titled, “The 40th Anniversary of the Computer that Changed Everything: The IBM System/360.”
“Forty years later, many of the attributes born on the System 360 remain fundamental aspects of computing,” said John Toole, executive director and chief executive of the Computer History Museum.
Mr. Evans was born in Grand Island, Neb., in 1927, grew up in Shelton, Neb., and earned an engineering degree from Iowa State University. He joined IBM in 1951 as a junior engineer. In 1969 he was named president of the systems development division. He was named vice president for engineering, programming and technology in 1977 and retired from IBM in 1984.
Mr. Evans is survived by his wife of 54 years, Maria, three sons, Robert, Douglas and David; and a daughter Cathleen Licero.
