The man who spent five minutes writing the computer code that has bailed out the world's PC users for decades is retiring from IBM tomorrow after over 28 years with the company.
David Bradley created the CtrlAltDelete command that forces obstinate computers to restart when they will no longer follow other commands.
He joined IBM in June 1975 as an engineer in Boca Raton, Florida, and by 1980, he was one of 12 working to create the IBM PC. He now works at IBM's facility in Research Triangle Park.
"I didn't know it [the command] was going to be a cultural icon," Bradley said. "I did a lot of other things than CtrlAltDelete, but I'm famous for that one."
At a 20-year celebration for the IBM PC, Bradley, who was on a panel with Microsoft founder Bill Gates, said: "I may have invented it [CtrlAltDelete], but Bill made it famous." The key combination is used when software, such as Microsoft's Windows operating system, fails.
Bradley, whose name was once mentioned as a clue in the final round of the TV game show Jeopardy, will continue teaching at NC State University after retirement.
AP