Marc Hannah
Marc Hannah | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 13, 1956 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Electrical engineer, computer graphics specialist |
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Known for | Co-founder of Silicon Graphics Inc. (SGI), development of 3-D graphics hardware and software |
Marc Hannah (born October 13, 1956) is an American electrical engineer and specialist in computer graphics, widely recognized as one of the co-founders of Silicon Graphics Inc (SGI).
Early life and education
Hailing from Chicago, Illinois, Hannah was awarded a scholarship by Bell Laboratories to attend the Illinois Institute of Technology, where he pursued Electrical Engineering and earned his B.S. degree in 1977. He continued his academic journey by obtaining an M.S. in 1978 and later a Ph.D. from Stanford University.
Career
As a co-founder and vital technical contributor at SGI, Hannah played a major role in creating 3-D graphics hardware and software solutions such as the Personal IRIS, Indigo, Indigo2, and Indy graphics platforms. His innovation with the Geometry Engine laid the foundation for graphics coprocessors, which facilitated sophisticated image processing essential to fields including film production, computer-aided design (CAD), scientific visualization, engineering, and gaming. This technology supported visual effects in blockbuster movies like Terminator 2, Jurassic Park, and Beauty and the Beast.
Together with six associates, Hannah secured $33 million in venture capital funding to launch SGI’s initial public offering in 1986. His team also engineered one of the earliest 3-D graphics chips integrated into a gaming console, ultimately used in the Nintendo 64. SGI’s advancements were critical to visual effects work at Industrial Light & Magic.
In addition to entertainment applications, Hannah developed 3-D effects systems tailored for scientific research, aerospace projects, and biotechnology engineering. His contributions extended to initiatives such as the Boeing 777 aircraft development and biotech modeling technologies.
Awards
Among his significant honors are the Professional Achievement Awards presented by Illinois Institute of Technology and the National Technical Association in 1987, followed by receiving the Black Engineer of the Year Award in 1988.
References
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- Living people
- 1956 births
- American computer scientists
- African-American computer scientists
- Stanford University alumni
- Illinois Institute of Technology alumni
- American technology company founders
- Computer graphics researchers
- Computer graphics professionals
- Silicon Graphics people
- 21st-century African-American scientists
- 20th-century African-American scientists