About John van Geen
Lived 1929 – 2000 (aged 70). John van Geen was a computer scientist and engineer.
John van Geen (August 17, 1929 – June 6, 2000) was a researcher at the Stanford Research Institute (now SRI International) who was known for his advances in the acoustically coupled modem.
Early life and education Van Geen was born in 1929 in Etterbeek, Belgium. In 1953, he received a degree in electrical and radio engineering from Brussels University. Van Geen's acoustic coupler used a speaker and a microphone to pick up and then transmit the different signals
His advancements also led to the release of the first public modem. It appealed to the public because it mimicked the characteristics of a standard telephone handset at that time.
Van Geen retired from the Stanford Research Institute in 1989 after 30 years there. He died on June 6, 2000, in Monterey Peninsula.
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Important facts
People in John van Geen's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
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Frequently asked questions
Who was John van Geen?
audio engineer
When was John van Geen born?
John van Geen was born on 17 August 1929 in Etterbeek.
When did John van Geen die?
John van Geen died on 6 June 2000 in Monterey Peninsula.
What was John van Geen's occupation?
John van Geen was a computer scientist and engineer.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John van Geen. https://biography.guide/john-van-geen/
MLA: "John van Geen." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-van-geen/.
Chicago: "John van Geen." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-van-geen/.
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