A Death Is Announced

Geeks and Business Analysts alike, please join with me in mourning the death of David Caminer. David could be described as the man who took the computer out of the laboratory and put it in the workplace.

He worked for a company called J Lyons, who ran an extensive chain of tea shops and restaurants, which were staffed by waitresses in “proper” waitress uniform, black dress, white apron, little white hat. I can recall being taken to these establishments as a special treat, as a child back in the 1960’s. As my Grandmother’s maiden name was Lyon, we felt a personal connection too. (It may also explain why so many Englishmen go funny at the sight of a woman in a black dress and white apron).

Anyway, David Caminer’s genius was to see that computers could help manage the whole supply-chain of a business from the raw ingredients of buns to the customer’s bill. So have a cup of tea and a bun today in memory of The Man.