The Integrated Data Store, developed by Charles Bachman at General Electric in 1963, introduced a navigational database model that fundamentally shifted how corporations managed large-scale information. By facilitating multiprogramming network access, this advancement allowed data to be processed in ways that were previously inaccessible for early mainframe systems, cementing his role as a primary architect of modern database management.
Early Engineering Foundations
Born in 1924 in Manhattan, Kansas, Bachman followed a path rooted in practical technical application rather than academic research. During World War II, he served in the United States Army in the South West Pacific Theater, where he maintained fire control computers for 90 mm guns. Following his military service, he earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Michigan State University in 1948, followed by a master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1950. His formative career began at the Dow Chemical Company, where he served as the first data processing manager in 1957, experimenting with report generator software.
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Upon joining General Electric in 1960, Bachman pioneered database technologies, most notably the Integrated Data Store. This system, integral to the Manufacturing Information And Control System, laid the groundwork for online transaction processing. His 1965 development of WEYCOS for the Weyerhaeuser Lumber company demonstrated early multiprogramming network capabilities. Following GE's sale of its computer division to Honeywell in 1970, Bachman continued his technical contributions, later joining Cullinet in 1981 to support IDMS software on IBM mainframes.
Software Engineering and Enterprise
In 1983, Bachman founded Bachman Information Systems to focus on computer-aided software engineering. His flagship product, the BACHMAN/Data Analyst, utilized his namesake diagrams to assist in the reengineering of mainframe databases. The company went public on the NASDAQ in 1991 under the symbol BACH. After navigating volatile market conditions, the firm merged with Cadre Technology in 1996 to become Cayenne Software. Bachman served as president of the merged entity before retiring to Tucson, Arizona, and eventually passing away in Lexington, Massachusetts, in 2017.
Professional Recognition
The Association for Computing Machinery honored Bachman with the Turing Award in 1973 for his contributions to database technology. He was recognized as a Distinguished Fellow of the British Computer Society in 1977 and later received the National Medal of Technology and Innovation in 2012 for his inventions in database management and transaction processing. Further honors included his designation as an ACM Fellow in 2014 and a Computer History Museum Fellow in 2015.
Fast facts
- Born: 1924, Manhattan, Kansas
- Died: 2017, Lexington, Massachusetts
- Education: Michigan State University; University of Pennsylvania
- Notable Invention: Integrated Data Store
- Turing Award Recipient: 1973
- National Medal of Technology and Innovation: 2012
- Primary Employers: Dow Chemical, General Electric, Honeywell, Cullinet
- Key Contribution: Navigational database model
Questions readers ask
What was the purpose of the Bachman diagram?
It provided graphical support for the creation, maintenance, and modeling of data structures within database management systems.
Did Bachman work in academia?
No, he spent his entire career as an industrial researcher, developer, and manager.
Achievements
- Turing Award — 1973
- National Medal of Technology and Innovation — 2012
- Notable work: Integrated Data Store
- Affiliated with Dow Chemical Company, General Electric and Honeywell
- Educated at Michigan State University, University of Pennsylvania and The Wharton School
- Worked as computer scientist and engineer
