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Jack Harper

e-mail: jharper@frobenius.com

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...Resume ...Publications (e.g.: "Cryptographically Secure Transactions with Optical Cards" (.pdf 678KBytes))

Jack is a software developer/engineer with a deep technical background in cryptography, real-time embedded systems, artificial intelligence, and smart card systems. Programming languages used over the past 35-years include C/C++, numerous assembly languages, LISP, ALGOL, FORTRAN, PL/1, SNOBOL, and others on Windows XP/NT/98/95 (soft real-time embedded), Macintosh, and, many years ago, on 68000 systems, DOS systems, Prime minicomputers, HP 2100 minicomputers, Symbolics LISP Machines, Univac 1108/1110, IBM 360/44, SDS Sigma-7, and others.

He holds three issued patents: 7,107,457 Optical Card Based System for Individualized Tracking and Record Keeping (US); 7,128,258 Optical Immunization Card (US); and 2005/01261 Optical Banking Card (South Africa). In addition, Harper has eight patent applications pending (US) in the areas of cryptography (3), optical card technology (1), and optical card applications (4).

His personal interests include the History of Computing -- especially Ancient LISP Systems -- and WWII Cryptography; the Internals of LISP Programming Systems; Amateur Radio (WØYJ -- CW on 20/40 meter HF) especially with vacuum tube receivers/transmitters from the 1950s/1960s; Voracious reading (history, politics of the time, tech, early 20th century literature); Investments; Flying -- stick time in Cessna 150/172/177, Bellanca 14-13-2, Stearman PT-17, J-3 Cub, Sweitzer sailplane and some others; Amateur Astronomy with a Celestron NexStar 11 GPS, Celestron C5+, and a Cave Astrola 10 inch Reflector (under restoration); Scuba Diving (PADI Open Water Certified); Chess (not very well); Cycling; Skiing; and, of course, Family Life (Boy Scouts, Little League Coach, etc.). Harper parachuted some years ago and plans to take that up again as time and courage permits.

His professional interests are centered around early stage tech companies and he has thirty years experience in designing, building, and fielding secure and security-related systems. Harper's past work has involved real-time embedded hardware/software crypto systems, advanced biometrics/fingerprinting, technical details of the U.S. Green Card, the design of variable-topology supercomputer systems for artificial intelligence and other applications, vaguely autonomous laser-radar guided security robots, and, many years ago, nuclear war-gaming software for NATO in Germany during the Cold War. He has worked, consulted, or sold systems in 22 countries and has three security/cryptography patents issued (or issuing) and 12 others pending. Harper has an MBA from the University of Denver (1992) and received a B.S. Electrical Engineering and a B.A. Mathematics with a Minor in Russian Language and Studies from the University of Houston (1975). He has taken two companies from zero to public listings with peak combined market capitalization in excess of $35-million and happily works 80-hr+ weeks.

Harper is currently writing a book on the early history (1955 - 1962) of the development of the LISP 1.5 programming language along with its first applications to build the early classic AI programs on the IBM 7090/7094 mainframes of the time.

Jack is married and has a 16-year old son Nick.

Jack's World

Image of Saturn as Seen from Titan Copyright (c) Bonestell Space Art, used with permission.

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http://www.frobenius.com/enter.htm -- Last Revision: 21 June 2008
Univac photo provided by John Walker.
IBM 7090 photo provided courtesy of IBM Corporation.
Univac is a registered trademark of Unisys Corporation.
Frobenius is an interesting Dead White Male that invented/discovered some Interesting Mathematics.
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