– David Mills internet pioneer dies at 85
– David Mills, the internet’s founding figure, passes away at 85.
David L. Mills, Computer Scientist Who Revolutionized Internet Clock Synchronization, Dies at 85
Background and Contributions
David L. Mills, a renowned computer scientist and professor, passed away on January 17, 2024, at the age of 85 in his home in Newark, Del. With over three decades of experience at the University of Delaware, Dr. Mills played a pivotal role in designing key components of the World Wide Web during the late 1970s and 1980s. He was also a lifelong advocate for open-source software.
Dr. Mills’ most significant contribution was his groundbreaking work in teaching computers how to synchronize their clocks. In the 1970s, as the Arpanet (the predecessor of the internet) expanded, there arose a need for a system that would ensure all connected computers had the same concept of time. This was crucial for financial transactions, real-time communication, and numerous other applications.
Working at Comsat, a company involved in developing satellite communication networks, Dr. Mills took on the challenge of synchronizing computer time. In the late 1970s, he invented the Network Time Protocol (NTP), a system that allowed computers to determine a consensus on the current time through complex mathematical algorithms and clever programming.
A Visionary Solution
One of Dr. Mills’ key insights was to develop a ranking system that determined the reliability of a computer’s concept of time. Computers connected directly to atomic clocks were considered the most reliable, while others in the network communicated with each other to establish a consensus on time. This innovation revolutionized the accuracy and synchronization of clocks across the internet.
Dr. Mills’ contributions did not stop there. His “fuzzball” software was instrumental in running the first internet routers, and his imaginative language and unique terminology, known as “Millsspeak,” added a touch of personality to the field of computer science.
A Life of Achievements
Born on June 3, 1938, in Oakland, Calif., David Lennox Mills grew up with a passion for technology. Despite facing challenges due to his poor eyesight and eventual blindness, he pursued his academic career with determination and achieved five degrees from the University of Michigan, including a Ph.D. in computer and communication science in 1971.
Dr. Mills is survived by his wife of 59 years, Beverly Csizmadia, his daughter Eileen “Leigh” Schnitzler, his son Keith Mills, and his brother. His impact on the internet and computer science will be remembered for generations to come.
Legacy and Impact
Thanks to Dr. Mills’ foundational work on NTP, millions of computers sync their clocks seamlessly billions of times every day. The NTP system, capable of synchronizing clocks down to microseconds, remains one of the fundamental protocols of the internet.
Although other contributors and tech giants like Google and Amazon have made their own updates to NTP, Dr. Mills will always be recognized as an internet pioneer. His legacy extends beyond his inventions and contributions; he was a visionary who shaped the way we perceive and use the internet today.
With his passing, the world mourns the loss of a brilliant mind and a true innovator. Dr. Mills’ impact on computer science and the internet will continue to shape the future of technology.
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– David Mills, the internet’s ‘father time,’ dies at 85
– David Mills, internet pioneer, passes away at 85.
