Daniel H. Wilson
Encyclopedia
Daniel H. Wilson is a New York Times best selling author, television host and robotics
engineer
. He currently resides in Portland, Oregon
. His most recent novel, published on June 7, 2011, is Robopocalypse
.
, USA, the eldest of two children. Wilson's father owns Howard's Auto Top & Body Shop and his mother is a nurse.
Wilson attended Booker T. Washington High School, graduating in 1996. He earned his B.S.
in Computer Science
at the University of Tulsa
in 2000, spending one semester studying philosophy
abroad in Melbourne, Australia at the University of Melbourne
. He completed an M.S.
in Robotics
, another M.S. in Machine Learning
, and his Ph.D.
in Robotics
in 2005 at the Robotics Institute
at Carnegie Mellon University
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
. His thesis work, entitled Assistive Intelligent Environments for Automatic Health Monitoring focused on providing automatic location and activity monitoring in the home via low-cost sensors such as motion detectors and contact switches. He has worked as a research intern
at Microsoft
Research, the Xerox PARC
, Northrop Grumman
, and Intel Research Seattle.
won a Rave Award from Wired
and was optioned by Paramount Pictures
. A screenplay
was written by Tom Lennon and Ben Garant
, and produced by Mike DeLuca. Mike Myers
was attached to star; however, the option eventually expired.
for Popular Mechanics
magazine and is now a contributing editor, called the "Resident Roboticist".
. The book was a GQ Media Pick for 2007 and Simon Reynolds of Salon.com
said: "The research is top-notch and fascinating... the best material entails a sort of archeology of stillborn or prematurely abandoned futures."
Later in the year, Wilson made a two book deal with Bloomsbury Publishing Children's division, agreeing to deliver a humorous guide to sibling rivalry in Bro-Jitsu: The Martial Art of Sibling Smackdown and then a middle reader that takes place in an abandoned robotic world, called A Boy and His Bot. In August 2007 (well before publication), Bro-Jitsu was optioned by Nickelodeon Movies
(a subset of Paramount Pictures) and Wilson hired to write the screenplay.
. The book was optioned by Paramount Pictures
and chosen by the American Library Association
(ALA) as a 2009 Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. The New York Post
called the book required reading.
Also in 2008, Wilson co-authored a humorous book with psychologist Anna C. Long, entitled The Mad Scientist Hall of Fame: Muwahahaha! (Citadel, 2008). In a blurb, Mike Myers
, the actor of Dr. Evil
fame, called it "An exhaustive study of the evil mind. A great book!".
In November 2009, Wilson sold his novel Robopocalypse
to Doubleday, with Jason Kaufman (editor of Dan Brown
, among others) coming on as editor. One day before rights to the novel were purchased, Wilson sold film rights to DreamWorks SKG, with Steven Spielberg
officially signing on to direct.
Robopocalypse was published on June 7, 2011 and the movie is slated for release in 2013.
In October 2010, How to Survive A Robot Uprising
was optioned by Steve Pink
(writer of the films High Fidelity
and Grosse Pointe Blank
) and actor Jack Black
.
In November 2010, Wilson sold his novel AMP to Doubleday, again working with editor Jason Kaufman. Film rights to the novel were sold to Summit Entertainment
, with Alex Proyas
(Dark City; The Crow; I, Robot) attached to direct.
His second novel Robopocalypse
was published on June 7, 2011.
, which debuted on July 10, 2008. Ten episodes of The Works aired, in which Wilson explained the hidden workings of everyday items, including Sneakers, Guns, Beer, Garbage, Robots, Skydiving, Power Tools, Steel, Motorcycles, and Tattoos. He has also appeared as himself in Modern Marvels
and Countdown to Doomsday
.
Robotics
Robotics is the branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation, structural disposition, manufacture and application of robots...
engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
. He currently resides in Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
. His most recent novel, published on June 7, 2011, is Robopocalypse
Robopocalypse
Robopocalypse is a New York Times best selling science fiction book by Daniel H. Wilson published on June 8, 2011. The author has a PhD in robotics from Carnegie Mellon University, and many of the robots in the novel were inspired by real-world robotics research...
.
Background and education
Daniel H. Wilson was born in Tulsa, OklahomaTulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 46th-largest city in the United States. With a population of 391,906 as of the 2010 census, it is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with 937,478 residents in the MSA and 988,454 in the CSA. Tulsa's...
, USA, the eldest of two children. Wilson's father owns Howard's Auto Top & Body Shop and his mother is a nurse.
Wilson attended Booker T. Washington High School, graduating in 1996. He earned his B.S.
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in Computer Science
Computer science
Computer science or computing science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and of practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems...
at the University of Tulsa
University of Tulsa
The University of Tulsa is a private university awarding bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA. It is currently ranked 75th among doctoral degree granting universities in the nation by US News and World Report and is listed as one of the "Best 366 Colleges" by...
in 2000, spending one semester studying philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
abroad in Melbourne, Australia at the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
. He completed an M.S.
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
in Robotics
Robotics
Robotics is the branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation, structural disposition, manufacture and application of robots...
, another M.S. in Machine Learning
Machine learning
Machine learning, a branch of artificial intelligence, is a scientific discipline concerned with the design and development of algorithms that allow computers to evolve behaviors based on empirical data, such as from sensor data or databases...
, and his Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in Robotics
Robotics
Robotics is the branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation, structural disposition, manufacture and application of robots...
in 2005 at the Robotics Institute
Robotics Institute
The Robotics Institute is a division of the School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. It is considered to be one of the leading centers of robotics research in the world....
at Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University is a private research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States....
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
. His thesis work, entitled Assistive Intelligent Environments for Automatic Health Monitoring focused on providing automatic location and activity monitoring in the home via low-cost sensors such as motion detectors and contact switches. He has worked as a research intern
Intern
Internship is a system of onthejob training for white-collar jobs, similar to an apprenticeship. Interns are usually college or university students, but they can also be high school students or post graduate adults seeking skills for a new career. They may also be as young as middle school or in...
at Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
Research, the Xerox PARC
Xerox PARC
PARC , formerly Xerox PARC, is a research and co-development company in Palo Alto, California, with a distinguished reputation for its contributions to information technology and hardware systems....
, Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman Corporation is an American global aerospace and defense technology company formed by the 1994 purchase of Grumman by Northrop. The company was the fourth-largest defense contractor in the world as of 2010, and the largest builder of naval vessels. Northrop Grumman employs over...
, and Intel Research Seattle.
2005
Wilson's first book was published during his final year of graduate school in late 2005. How to Survive A Robot UprisingHow to Survive a Robot Uprising
How to Survive a Robot Uprising: Tips on Defending Yourself Against the Coming Rebellion is a semi-satirical book by Daniel Wilson published in November 2005....
won a Rave Award from Wired
Wired (magazine)
Wired is a full-color monthly American magazine and on-line periodical, published since January 1993, that reports on how new and developing technology affects culture, the economy, and politics...
and was optioned by Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
. A screenplay
Screenplay
A screenplay or script is a written work that is made especially for a film or television program. Screenplays can be original works or adaptations from existing pieces of writing. In them, the movement, actions, expression, and dialogues of the characters are also narrated...
was written by Tom Lennon and Ben Garant
Ben Garant
Robert Ben Garant is an American actor, comedian, writer, director and producer.Garant was born in Cookeville, Tennessee, and grew up in Farragut, Tennessee...
, and produced by Mike DeLuca. Mike Myers
Mike Myers (actor)
Michael John "Mike" Myers is a Canadian actor, comedian, screenwriter, and film producer of British parentage...
was attached to star; however, the option eventually expired.
2006
In 2006, Wilson began as a columnistColumnist
A columnist is a journalist who writes for publication in a series, creating an article that usually offers commentary and opinions. Columns appear in newspapers, magazines and other publications, including blogs....
for Popular Mechanics
Popular Mechanics
Popular Mechanics is an American magazine first published January 11, 1902 by H. H. Windsor, and has been owned since 1958 by the Hearst Corporation...
magazine and is now a contributing editor, called the "Resident Roboticist".
2007
In 2007, Wilson published Where's My Jetpack?Where's My Jetpack?
Where's My Jetpack: A Guide to the Amazing Science Fiction Future that Never Arrived is a semi-satirical non-fiction book by Daniel Wilson published in April 2007....
. The book was a GQ Media Pick for 2007 and Simon Reynolds of Salon.com
Salon.com
Salon.com, part of Salon Media Group , often just called Salon, is an online liberal magazine, with content updated each weekday. Salon was founded by David Talbot and launched on November 20, 1995. It was the internet's first online-only commercial publication. The magazine focuses on U.S...
said: "The research is top-notch and fascinating... the best material entails a sort of archeology of stillborn or prematurely abandoned futures."
Later in the year, Wilson made a two book deal with Bloomsbury Publishing Children's division, agreeing to deliver a humorous guide to sibling rivalry in Bro-Jitsu: The Martial Art of Sibling Smackdown and then a middle reader that takes place in an abandoned robotic world, called A Boy and His Bot. In August 2007 (well before publication), Bro-Jitsu was optioned by Nickelodeon Movies
Nickelodeon Movies
Nickelodeon Movies is the motion picture production arm of children's cable channel Nickelodeon, originally launched in 1995. Its first film was Harriet the Spy. It has produced films based on Nickelodeon programs, as well as other adaptations and original projects...
(a subset of Paramount Pictures) and Wilson hired to write the screenplay.
2008
Wilson followed up How to Survive a Robot Uprising with a sequel called How to Build a Robot ArmyHow to Build a Robot Army
How to Build a Robot Army: Tips on Defending Planet Earth Against Alien Invaders, Ninjas, Monsters, and Zombies is a semi-satirical non-fiction book by Daniel Wilson published in December 2007....
. The book was optioned by Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
and chosen by the American Library Association
American Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
(ALA) as a 2009 Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. The New York Post
New York Post
The New York Post is the 13th-oldest newspaper published in the United States and is generally acknowledged as the oldest to have been published continuously as a daily, although – as is the case with most other papers – its publication has been periodically interrupted by labor actions...
called the book required reading.
Also in 2008, Wilson co-authored a humorous book with psychologist Anna C. Long, entitled The Mad Scientist Hall of Fame: Muwahahaha! (Citadel, 2008). In a blurb, Mike Myers
Mike Myers (actor)
Michael John "Mike" Myers is a Canadian actor, comedian, screenwriter, and film producer of British parentage...
, the actor of Dr. Evil
Dr. Evil
Dr. Evil is a fictional character, played by Mike Myers in the Austin Powers film series. He is the antagonist of the movies, and Austin Powers' nemesis. He is a parody of James Bond villains, primarily Donald Pleasence's Ernst Stavro Blofeld . Dr...
fame, called it "An exhaustive study of the evil mind. A great book!".
2009
Wilson's first short story, called The Nostalgist, was published by Tor.com.In November 2009, Wilson sold his novel Robopocalypse
Robopocalypse
Robopocalypse is a New York Times best selling science fiction book by Daniel H. Wilson published on June 8, 2011. The author has a PhD in robotics from Carnegie Mellon University, and many of the robots in the novel were inspired by real-world robotics research...
to Doubleday, with Jason Kaufman (editor of Dan Brown
Dan Brown
Dan Brown is an American author of thriller fiction, best known for the 2003 bestselling novel, The Da Vinci Code. Brown's novels, which are treasure hunts set in a 24-hour time period, feature the recurring themes of cryptography, keys, symbols, codes, and conspiracy theories...
, among others) coming on as editor. One day before rights to the novel were purchased, Wilson sold film rights to DreamWorks SKG, with Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg
Steven Allan Spielberg KBE is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, video game designer, and studio entrepreneur. In a career of more than four decades, Spielberg's films have covered many themes and genres. Spielberg's early science-fiction and adventure films were seen as an...
officially signing on to direct.
Robopocalypse was published on June 7, 2011 and the movie is slated for release in 2013.
2010
Bro-Jitsu: The Martial Art of Sibling Smackdown was published in April, 2010. The book was delayed more than a year due to problems with the original illustrator.In October 2010, How to Survive A Robot Uprising
How to Survive a Robot Uprising
How to Survive a Robot Uprising: Tips on Defending Yourself Against the Coming Rebellion is a semi-satirical book by Daniel Wilson published in November 2005....
was optioned by Steve Pink
Steve Pink
Steve Pink is an American actor, screenwriter and director. He is the director of the comedy films Accepted and Hot Tub Time Machine, and the co-writer of the films Grosse Pointe Blank and High Fidelity....
(writer of the films High Fidelity
High Fidelity (film)
High Fidelity is a 2000 American comedy-drama film directed by Stephen Frears and starring John Cusack and the Danish actress Iben Hjejle. The film is based on the 1995 British novel of the same name by Nick Hornby, with the setting moved from London to Chicago and the name of the lead character...
and Grosse Pointe Blank
Grosse Pointe Blank
Grosse Pointe Blank is a 1997 American Black comedy film, directed by George Armitage, and starring John Cusack and Minnie Driver.In 2000, readers of Total Film magazine voted Grosse Pointe Blank the 21st greatest comedy film of all time. The film's soundtrack features mainly independent music hits...
) and actor Jack Black
Jack Black
Jack Black , is an American actor and musician, notably of Tenacious D.Jack Black may also refer to:* Jack Black , late 19th - early 20th Century author and hobo* Jack Black , drummer for 1970s UK punk band The Boys...
.
In November 2010, Wilson sold his novel AMP to Doubleday, again working with editor Jason Kaufman. Film rights to the novel were sold to Summit Entertainment
Summit Entertainment
Summit Entertainment LLC is an independent film studio headquartered in Santa Monica, California with international offices in London.-History:...
, with Alex Proyas
Alex Proyas
Alexander "Alex" Proyas is a Australian film director, screenwriter, and producer. He is best known for directing such films as The Crow, Dark City, I, Robot and Knowing. He is known for employing a stylish photographic techniques in his films, with dark overtones usually in a post-apocalyptic...
(Dark City; The Crow; I, Robot) attached to direct.
2011
Wilson's first novel, a middle reader called A Boy and His Bot, was published on January 4, 2011. The book, written for nine to twelve-year-olds, follows the adventures of a boy named Code Lightfall who discovers an abandoned world populated entirely by robots, including an "Atomic Slaughter-bot" named Gary.His second novel Robopocalypse
Robopocalypse
Robopocalypse is a New York Times best selling science fiction book by Daniel H. Wilson published on June 8, 2011. The author has a PhD in robotics from Carnegie Mellon University, and many of the robots in the novel were inspired by real-world robotics research...
was published on June 7, 2011.
Television
Wilson hosted a series on the History Channel entitled The WorksThe Works (TV series)
The Works is a series that airs on the History Channel. Each episode focuses on the history and processes used for common objects and services.-Description:The host Daniel H...
, which debuted on July 10, 2008. Ten episodes of The Works aired, in which Wilson explained the hidden workings of everyday items, including Sneakers, Guns, Beer, Garbage, Robots, Skydiving, Power Tools, Steel, Motorcycles, and Tattoos. He has also appeared as himself in Modern Marvels
Modern Marvels
Modern Marvels is a documentary television series that premiered on January 1, 1995 on History. The program focuses on how technologies affect and are used in today's society....
and Countdown to Doomsday
Countdown to Doomsday
Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday is a computer role-playing game released by Strategic Simulations, Inc. in 1990, set in the Buck Rogers XXVC game setting....
.
Works
- How To Survive a Robot Uprising: Tips on Defending Yourself Against the Coming Rebellion, humor (New York: Bloomsbury, 2005)
- Where's My Jetpack?: A Guide to the Amazing Science Fiction Future That Never Arrived, humor (New York: Bloomsbury, 2007)
- How To Build a Robot Army: Tips on Defending Planet Earth Against Aliens, Ninjas, and Zombies, humor (New York: Bloomsbury, 2008)
- The Mad Scientist Hall of Fame: Muwahahaha!, humor (New York: Citadel, 2008)
- The Nostalgist, fiction (Tor.com, 2009)
- Bro-Jitsu: The Martial Art of Sibling Smackdown, humor (New York: Bloomsbury Children's, 2010)
- A Boy and His Bot, fiction (New York: Bloomsbury Children's, 2011)
- RobopocalypseRobopocalypseRobopocalypse is a New York Times best selling science fiction book by Daniel H. Wilson published on June 8, 2011. The author has a PhD in robotics from Carnegie Mellon University, and many of the robots in the novel were inspired by real-world robotics research...
, techno thriller (New York: Doubleday, 2011) - AMPED, techno thriller (New York: Doubleday, 2012)
External links
- Daniel H. Wilson Official Blog
- How to Survive a Robot Uprising Official Website
- History Channel's The Works Official Website
- 2011 Interview on io9's Geek's Guide to the Galaxy podcast
- If Robots Ever Get Too Smart, He'll Know How to Stop Them book review in The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
February 14, 2006 - Par leads 'Uprising' VarietyVariety (magazine)Variety is an American weekly entertainment-trade magazine founded in New York City, New York, in 1905 by Sime Silverman. With the rise of the importance of the motion-picture industry, Daily Variety, a daily edition based in Los Angeles, California, was founded by Silverman in 1933. In 1998, the...
April 26, 2006 - Myers leads Par 'Uprising' VarietyVariety (magazine)Variety is an American weekly entertainment-trade magazine founded in New York City, New York, in 1905 by Sime Silverman. With the rise of the importance of the motion-picture industry, Daily Variety, a daily edition based in Los Angeles, California, was founded by Silverman in 1933. In 1998, the...
April 26, 2006 - Survive a Robot Attack interview on This Week in ScienceThis Week in ScienceThis Week in Science is a science radio talk show broadcasting from KDVS 90.3FM on the UC Davis campus. Each week, TWIS founder/host Kirsten Sanford and co-host Justin Jackson review current research in technology...
July 25, 2006 - 'Where's My Jetpack?' Looks for the Missing Future interview on NPR Weekend Edition with Scot SimonWeekend EditionWeekend Edition is the name given to a set of American radio news magazines produced and distributed by National Public Radio . It is the weekend counterpart to Morning Edition. It consists of Weekend Edition Saturday and Weekend Edition Sunday , each of which airs for two hours, from 8 a.m. to 10...
May 5, 2007 - Back to the Future book review in Salon.comSalon.comSalon.com, part of Salon Media Group , often just called Salon, is an online liberal magazine, with content updated each weekday. Salon was founded by David Talbot and launched on November 20, 1995. It was the internet's first online-only commercial publication. The magazine focuses on U.S...
May 12, 2007 - Nickelodeon strikes 'Bro-Jitsu" deal VarietyVariety (magazine)Variety is an American weekly entertainment-trade magazine founded in New York City, New York, in 1905 by Sime Silverman. With the rise of the importance of the motion-picture industry, Daily Variety, a daily edition based in Los Angeles, California, was founded by Silverman in 1933. In 1998, the...
May 16, 2007 - Required Reading book review in New York PostNew York PostThe New York Post is the 13th-oldest newspaper published in the United States and is generally acknowledged as the oldest to have been published continuously as a daily, although – as is the case with most other papers – its publication has been periodically interrupted by labor actions...
January 13, 2008 - Robots, Today and Tomorrow interview on Coast to Coast AMCoast to Coast AMCoast to Coast AM is a North American late-night syndicated radio talk show that deals with a variety of topics, but most frequently ones that relate to either the paranormal or conspiracy theories. It was created by Art Bell and is distributed by Premiere Radio Networks. The program currently...
February 10, 2008 - What Happened to our Moonbases and Jetpacks? interview on NPR Weekend Edition with Liane HansenWeekend EditionWeekend Edition is the name given to a set of American radio news magazines produced and distributed by National Public Radio . It is the weekend counterpart to Morning Edition. It consists of Weekend Edition Saturday and Weekend Edition Sunday , each of which airs for two hours, from 8 a.m. to 10...
July 19, 2009