The story of a Costa Rican pioneer in computer science

Mr. Jorge Gonzalez-Marten was born in Costa Rica in 1926. He was responsible for organizing the computer center of the Treasury Department of Costa Rica. He studied in several universities in United States and also became an expert on IBM machines. In 1955, he and Mr. Walter Oreamuno founded the MAI Company in New York. Mr. Gonzalez was in charge of the expansion of this company through United States, Latin America, Europe and Asia. He established the first overseas office in Costa Rica. In 1969 he proposed to the MAI board of directors the construction of a direct access minicomputer. He presented the first Basic Four minicomputer in 1971. In this way, a very successful family of minicomputers was born. In 1972, Mr. Gonzalez retired from MAI. In 2007 his career and contribution in the computer science field were recognized by the Costa Rican Association of Computer Science Professionals.