Description
Computer hardware designer of DEC's PDP machines and the VAX, Bell was a pioneering computer engineer and manager. An early employee of Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) from 1960–1966, Bell designed several of their PDP machines and later became Vice President of Engineering from 1972–1983, overseeing the development of the VAX.
Bell's later career included roles as entrepreneur, investor, and founding Assistant Director of NSF's Computing and Information Science and Engineering Directorate from 1986–1987. He also served as a researcher at Microsoft Research beginning in 1995.
