Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft and one of the pioneers in the computing industry passed away on October 15th in Seattle, USA. Allen, 65, was suffering from cancer. Paul was first diagnosed with cancer in 1982. The cancer was treated successfully then, but its recurrence in October 2018 caused his death.
Together with his childhood friend, Bill Gates, he started Microsoft in 1975. Microsoft became the leader in software industry and created a whole new world driven by computers. Allen left Microsoft in 1983 and the board in 2000.
Bill Gates said, “Personal computing would not have existed without Paul Allen. He deserved much more time, but his contributions to the world of technology and philanthropy will live on for generations to come. I will miss him tremendously.”
Paul Allen had diverse business interests in technology, media companies, scientific research, real estate, private spaceflight ventures, and stakes in other companies. He also owned professional sports teams like the Seattle Seahawks and the National football league.
At the time of his death, Paul Allen was the 21st richest person in the world with a net worth of $20.3 billion as per Forbes. Allen was instrumental in getting Bill Gates to dropout of Harvard and start Microsoft. He played a key role in the early days of Microsoft.
Paul Allen was an innovator, investor and a business legend. His philanthropic work includes setting up organisations like Allen Institute for Brain Science, Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Institute for Cell Science.
Paul donated more than $2 billion for causes related to education, wildlife, environment conservation, arts, healthcare, and community services etc.
Paul received many awards and accolades in his illustrious career in different professions. He also made it in the Time list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2007 and 2008. Paul Allen maintained a low profile and focused on his work.
Here are some words of wisdom and inspirational by the legendary Paul Allen.
“You look at things you enjoy in your life, but much more important is what you can do to make the world a better place.”
Paul Allen
“The possible is constantly being redefined, and I care deeply about helping humanity move forward.”
Paul Allen
“Any crusade requires optimism and the ambition to aim high.”
Paul Allen
“What should exist? To me, that’s the most exciting question imaginable. What do we need that we don’t have? How can we realize our potential?”
Paul Allen
“In my own work, I’ve tried to anticipate what’s coming over the horizon, to hasten its arrival, and to apply it to people’s lives in a meaningful way.”
Paul Allen
“I’m always interested in finding ways to innovate… It’s a blend; it’s not a point focus.”
Paul Allen
“For the most part, the best opportunities now lie where your competitors have yet to establish themselves, not where they’re already entrenched”
Paul Allen
“I grew up around books. When I first held the book and it was a substantive, tangible thing, and I thought of all the work that went into it, not just my work but everybody else’s and the research and so forth, there’s a sense of really have done something worthwhile.”
Paul Allen
“When it comes to helping out, I don’t believe in doing it for the media attention. My goal is to support the organizations that need help.”
Paul Allen
“In my experience, each failure contains the seeds of your next success– if you are willing to learn from it.”
Paul Allen
