JavaScript was created by Brendan Eich in 1995 while working at Netscape Communications Corporation, taking ten days to finish the first version. This language design combined elements of Scheme and Self with Java syntax, fundamentally shaping how web browsers operate today through the SpiderMonkey engine he subsequently developed to execute the code.
Early Career and Education
Born in Pittsburgh in 1961, Eich attended Ellwood P. Cubberley High School before graduating in 1979. His formal education included a bachelor's degree in mathematics and computer science from Santa Clara University, followed by a master's degree earned in 1985 from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His professional career began at Silicon Graphics, where he spent seven years focusing on network and operating system code.
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Eich co-founded the Mozilla project in 1998 to manage open-source contributions to the Netscape source code. Following the closure of the Netscape browser unit by AOL in 2003, he participated in the creation of the Mozilla Foundation. In 2005, he became the chief technology officer of the newly established Mozilla Corporation. He maintained ownership of the SpiderMonkey module until 2011, overseeing its transition to the ECMA-262 standard.
CEO Appointment and Resignation
On March 24, 2014, Mozilla appointed Eich as CEO. The move drew significant public criticism regarding his 2008 political donations to California Proposition 8. After a public campaign against his leadership, including requests from advocacy groups like CREDO Mobile and actions by organizations such as OkCupid, Eich resigned from his position on April 3, 2014, citing his inability to serve as an effective leader under the circumstances.
Brave Software and Cryptocurrency
Following his departure from Mozilla, Eich co-founded Brave Software. The company secured $2.5 million in early funding from investors, including the Digital Currency Group and Founders Fund. In 2016, the firm released a browser based on Chromium that restricts trackers and advertisements. Additionally, Eich helped develop the Basic Attention Token, a cryptocurrency that raised $35 million during a 2017 initial coin offering.
Fast facts
- Born: 1961, Pittsburgh
- Notable work: JavaScript
- Education: Santa Clara University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Mozilla Corporation Chief Technology Officer: 2005-2014
- Mozilla Corporation Chief Executive Officer: 2014
- Brave Browser developer: 2016-present
Questions readers ask
What is Brendan Eich's role at Brave?
He is a co-founder and the chief executive officer of Brave Software.
Why did Brendan Eich leave Mozilla?
He resigned in 2014 following public backlash regarding his past political donations to support California Proposition 8.
Achievements
- Notable work: JavaScript
- Affiliated with Mozilla Corporation
- Educated at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Santa Clara University and Ellwood P. Cubberley High School
- Worked as computer scientist, programmer and chief technology officer
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