Bill Atkinson, Who Made Computers Easier to Use, Is Dead at 74
The New York TimesSaturday, June 7, 2025 at 9:50:22 PM
Bill Atkinson, a pioneering Apple designer who helped shape how we interact with computers, has passed away at 74. He was the brains behind game-changing features like pull-down menus, double-clicking, and the visual "desktop" metaphor—things we now take for granted. His work made technology feel intuitive, bridging the gap between machines and everyday users.
Editor’s Note: Atkinson’s ideas are so baked into modern computing that most people don’t even think about them—until now. His death is a moment to reflect on how a handful of clever design choices (like clicking a mouse twice to open a file) quietly revolutionized our relationship with tech. Without his work, your computer or phone would feel alien and clunky. It’s a reminder that the best innovations often disappear into the background because they just make sense.
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