Dick Newell
Encyclopedia
Dr. Richard G. Newell has spent over 30 years in the software industry in Computer aided design (CAD) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Dick holds degrees in Civil Engineering
and Numerical Analysis
and a PhD in Chemical Engineering
.
As a software engineer, he worked at CADCentre alongside his brother Martin Newell
who is perhaps best known as the creator of the Utah Teapot
(or Newell teapot). It was at the centre that Dick oversaw the creation of the extremely successful Plant Design Management System
(PDMS) for 3D process plant design. In 1972 Dick, his brother Martin and Tom Sancha proposed the Newell's algorithm
procedure.
He co-founded his first company, Cambridge Interactive Systems Ltd. (CIS) in 1977. CIS was part of what became known as 'The Cambridge Phenomenon'. Dick co-founded Smallworld
Systems in 1988. The company was successfully floated, on NASDAQ
in 1996 and was subsequently sold to General Electric Corporation (GE) in 2000.
Dick held the position of Chairman of both CIS and Smallworld Systems.
Dick is currently a Non-Executive Director of UltraVision CLPL
with business partners J. Keith Lomas
and John H. Clamp. Dick is also a Director of Ubisense.
In his spare time, Dick is a keen bird watcher and has held a council member position for the British Trust for Ornithology
(BTO).
Dick holds degrees in Civil Engineering
Civil engineering
Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like roads, bridges, canals, dams, and buildings...
and Numerical Analysis
Numerical analysis
Numerical analysis is the study of algorithms that use numerical approximation for the problems of mathematical analysis ....
and a PhD in Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineering
Chemical engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with physical science , and life sciences with mathematics and economics, to the process of converting raw materials or chemicals into more useful or valuable forms...
.
As a software engineer, he worked at CADCentre alongside his brother Martin Newell
Martin Newell (computer scientist)
Martin Newell is a British-born computer scientist specializing in computer graphics who is perhaps best known as the creator of the Utah teapot computer model....
who is perhaps best known as the creator of the Utah Teapot
Utah teapot
The Utah teapot or Newell teapot is a 3D computer model which has become a standard reference object in the computer graphics community. It is a mathematical model of an ordinary teapot of fairly simple shape, which appears solid, cylindrical and partially convex...
(or Newell teapot). It was at the centre that Dick oversaw the creation of the extremely successful Plant Design Management System
Plant Design Management System
PDMS as it is known in the 3D CAD industry, is a customizable, multi-user and multi-discipline, engineer controlled design software package for engineering, design and construction projects in, but not limited to, offshore and onshore oil & gas industry, chemical & process plants, mining,...
(PDMS) for 3D process plant design. In 1972 Dick, his brother Martin and Tom Sancha proposed the Newell's algorithm
Newell's algorithm
Newell's Algorithm is a 3D computer graphics procedure for elimination of polygon cycles in the depth sorting required in hidden surface removal...
procedure.
He co-founded his first company, Cambridge Interactive Systems Ltd. (CIS) in 1977. CIS was part of what became known as 'The Cambridge Phenomenon'. Dick co-founded Smallworld
Smallworld
Smallworld was a GIS company founded in Cambridge, England, in 1989 by Dick Newell and others. It grew to become the global market leader for GIS in utilities and communications, according to Daratech. In September 2000, it was acquired by GE Energy, a division of General Electric...
Systems in 1988. The company was successfully floated, on NASDAQ
NASDAQ
The NASDAQ Stock Market, also known as the NASDAQ, is an American stock exchange. "NASDAQ" originally stood for "National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations". It is the second-largest stock exchange by market capitalization in the world, after the New York Stock Exchange. As of...
in 1996 and was subsequently sold to General Electric Corporation (GE) in 2000.
Dick held the position of Chairman of both CIS and Smallworld Systems.
Dick is currently a Non-Executive Director of UltraVision CLPL
UltraVision
UltraVision CLPL is a contact lens manufacturer, with headquarters based in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, England. UltraVision CLPL also has a Research and Development office based in Cambridge, England...
with business partners J. Keith Lomas
J. Keith Lomas
J. Keith Lomas is a British businessman, and Group President and Chief Executive Officer of the contact lens manufacturing and licensing group of companies UltraVision CLPL.- Business life :...
and John H. Clamp. Dick is also a Director of Ubisense.
In his spare time, Dick is a keen bird watcher and has held a council member position for the British Trust for Ornithology
Ornithology
Ornithology is a branch of zoology that concerns the study of birds. Several aspects of ornithology differ from related disciplines, due partly to the high visibility and the aesthetic appeal of birds...
(BTO).
See also
- Smallworld SystemsSmallworldSmallworld was a GIS company founded in Cambridge, England, in 1989 by Dick Newell and others. It grew to become the global market leader for GIS in utilities and communications, according to Daratech. In September 2000, it was acquired by GE Energy, a division of General Electric...
- Martin NewellMartin Newell (computer scientist)Martin Newell is a British-born computer scientist specializing in computer graphics who is perhaps best known as the creator of the Utah teapot computer model....