Influential Apple engineer Bill Atkinson dies at 74

Bill Atkinson, a renowned Apple engineer, has passed away at the age of 74 due to pancreatic cancer. He was a key member of the original Macintosh development team and played a significant role in shaping modern-day computing. Atkinson's contributions to Apple include the development of fundamental UI elements such as the menu bar, double-clicking, and the selection lasso. He also created MacPaint, an application that introduced graphics-based systems to the world, and QuickDraw, a graphics toolbox used by the Macintosh and Lisa computers. Additionally, Atkinson designed HyperCard, an Apple application that made hypertext accessible to everyday users. His work had a profound impact on the design language of Apple's early days, and his legacy continues to inspire the company. Tim Cook paid tribute to Atkinson, describing him as a "true visionary" whose work on the Mac will forever inspire Apple. Beyond his work at Apple, Atkinson co-founded General Magic, a software and electronics company, and later worked with Numenta, a startup focused on artificial intelligence. Atkinson was also a talented nature photographer and published a book called Within the Stone, featuring close-up shots of polished and cut rocks. He is survived by his family, including his wife, children, siblings, and dog, and will be remembered for his groundbreaking contributions to the world of computing.