Godbout Electronics
Bill Godbout | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. |
| Died | November 8, 2018 (aged 79) Concow, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Computer hardware entrepreneur |
| Known for | Producing and retailing computer hardware and components; co-creation of IEEE-696 (S-100 bus) standard |
Bill Godbout (October 2, 1939 – November 8, 2018) was a Silicon Valley trailblazer recognized for producing and retailing computer hardware, components, and electronic kits throughout the 1970s and 1980s. His enterprises—initially Godbout Electronics, later known as CompuPro and eventually Viasyn—played a significant role in the formative years of the personal computing industry. Along with George Morrow, he was instrumental in the creation of the IEEE-696 standard, widely referred to as the S-100 bus, which became a key technology in early microcomputers.
His contributions are detailed in David A. Kaplan’s The Silicon Boys (1999), which profiles prominent innovators from Silicon Valley.
Early life
Godbout was born on October 2, 1939, in Providence, Rhode Island. He started his professional journey at IBM before serving in the military from 1961 until 1968. Following his service, he deliberately steered clear of large corporations, moving to the San Francisco Bay Area to assist in revitalizing a failing business. After successfully selling that venture and spending some time semi-retired, he ventured into the electronics surplus market.
Career
In 1973, Godbout established Godbout Electronics inside a Quonset hut located near Oakland International Airport. This store gained recognition and was noted by The New York Times for its popularity. The Vintage Computer Federation honors him as "a legend in the S-100 community" due to his influential work during the 1970s and 1980s.
He procured large quantities of discarded electronic parts predominantly from military sources, offering chips and memory boards through mail order and relying heavily on trust-based transactions. After rebranding his company as CompuPro, he partnered with George Morrow to help devise the S-100 bus standard (IEEE-696), which became essential for early systems such as the Altair 8800.
Godbout’s company produced S-100 compatible circuit boards that allowed early computers to efficiently connect processors with peripheral devices.
During the 1980s, he transitioned his business focus toward networking solutions. Renamed Viasyn and relocated to Hayward, California, under his chairmanship, the company specialized in tailored computing applications for niche sectors like medical practices, electronic music production, and elevator control systems.
Personal life and death
In his later years, Godbout resided in Concow, California with his wife Karen; together they had a daughter named Brandi. A passionate aviator, he frequently flew aircraft alongside his friend Gary Kildall.
Tragically, Godbout passed away on November 8, 2018, when the Camp Fire consumed his home and workshop in Concow. He was survived by his wife and daughter.