Re:What made Bell Labs special? (2012) [pdf]
by zw123456 on Sunday May 14, 2017 @05:57PM
(#14337784)
That brought back memories for me, I worked there from 1978 - 1984. It was special and I agree with a lot of what the author said, but I would also highlight the people that ran the place. My boss was amazing, too long to list all the reasons but never forgot him. It takes a special type of person to manage highly skilled technical people effectively. I think there are some places like that today (maybe Google, I don't know first hand only from friends that work there). But in my view, that is the key, creating an environment that those types special people are able to thrive in. Bell Labs did that, maybe it was because they were a monopoly that they had that luxury, but I think there was more to it than that.
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Re:What made Bell Labs special? (2012) [pdf]
by CamelCaseName on Sunday May 14, 2017 @08:25PM
(#14338284)
If it's not too late, reach out to your old boss and let him know. It will make a world of difference to him.
I called the guy who gave me my start in telecom up a good 4-5 years ago, and spent two hours on the phone with him thanking him for giving me a chance at it, without him I never would have made it as far.
Re:What made Bell Labs special? (2012) [pdf]
by laxentasken on Monday May 15, 2017 @09:40AM
(#14341448)
This, really this.
Re:What made Bell Labs special? (2012) [pdf]
by iamcreasy on Saturday May 20, 2017 @04:18PM
(#14384149)
> It takes a special type of person to manage highly skilled technical people effectively.
Can you please elaborate on this one? On the article it says at Bell Lab the manager had strong track record who appreciated scientific work - but is there something more?
What kind of environment do these special people thrive in? What specifically did your boss do (or not do) so well that you appreciated him so much?
I would very much like to know that too. I think Alan Kay said something about the middle management at Xerox being excellent people, too, so I would be tempted to think this is the one important factor to get the kind of tech oasis that were PARC and Bell Labs.
Some of us end up in the few dream-team environments that already exist today, but most will have to build those ourselves; any hint would be very welcome.