JUST IN: Adobe Co-founder John Warnock, Who Helped Invent The PDF, Dies At 82

John Warnock, one of the co-founders of Adobe, passed away at the age of 82, as announced by the software company on Sunday.

In 1982, Warnock played a pivotal role in launching Adobe alongside the late Charles Geschke. Together, they transformed the company into a software powerhouse that played a fundamental role in shaping the internet landscape.

Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen conveyed in a letter to employees, “John’s brilliance and technological innovations changed the world. It is a sad day for the Adobe community and the industry, as he has been an inspiration for decades.”

Warnock and Geschke are credited with creating PostScript, a programming language that played a crucial role in initiating the desktop publishing revolution.

Adobe highlighted that Warnock’s “vision and passion enabled Adobe to deliver groundbreaking innovations such as Illustrator, the ubiquitous PDF file format and Acrobat, Photoshop, and Premiere Pro.” These contributions defined the era of desktop computing, fostering creativity and opportunities for countless individuals.

Narayen praised Warnock’s “unyielding spirit, enthusiasm, and commitment to establishing a company with strong values,” which influenced everyone fortunate enough to work at Adobe.

Warnock served as Adobe’s CEO until 2000 and remained chairman of the board until 2017. He was also a member of the board of directors until his passing.

Among his accomplishments, Warnock received the prestigious National Medal of Technology and Innovation from President Barack Obama in 2009, as well as the Marconi Prize for his contributions to information science and communications.

Originally from Salt Lake City, Warnock acquired multiple degrees from the University of Utah, including a doctorate in electrical engineering for computer science, a master’s degree in mathematics, and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and philosophy.

Despite being discouraged by his high school counselor due to his apparent lack of mathematical aptitude, Warnock’s passion for mathematics was ignited by an inspiring teacher. This eventually led him to excel in the field.

The cause of his death has not been disclosed, and he is survived by his wife and three children.