Robert Hecht-Nielsen
Robert Hecht-Nielsen was an entrepreneur and researcher in neural networks. He began neural network computer experiments in 1968 and completed his mathematics doctorate at Arizona State University in 1974. He co-founded HNC Software in 1986, and the company went public in 1995. His 1989 book Neurocomputing was the first textbook on neural networks, and the IEEE gave him its Neural Networks Pioneer Award in 1999. He died in Del Mar, California, in 2019.
Timeline
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1947–1974
A mathematics doctorate
He is born in San Francisco in 1947. He completes bachelor's and doctoral degrees in mathematics at Arizona State University in 1971 and 1974.
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1968–1986
Neurocomputing at Motorola and TRW
He begins neural network computer experiments in 1968. He founds and manages neurocomputing research and development programs at Motorola from 1979 to 1983 and at TRW from 1983 to 1986.
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1986
Co-founding HNC Software
He co-founds HNC Software with Todd Gutschow in 1986. The company goes public in 1995.
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1987–1989
A conference and a textbook
He co-founds the International Joint Conference on Neural Networks in 1987. He publishes Neurocomputing, the first textbook on neural networks, in 1989.
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1999
Neural Networks Pioneer Award
He receives the IEEE Neural Networks Pioneer Award in 1999.
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2002
Vice president at Fair Isaac
Fair Isaac Corporation acquires HNC in 2002. Hecht-Nielsen goes on to serve there as a vice president of research and development.
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2005–2006
Confabulation Theory
In March 2005 he announces Confabulation Theory at an event. In July 2005 he gives a keynote at MobiQuitous 2005. In 2006 he establishes a laboratory in the UC San Diego division of Calit2.
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2019
Death in Del Mar, California
He dies in Del Mar, California, in 2019, at age 71.
Sources and credits
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