Max Palevsky

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Max Palevsky (born 1924 in Illinois) is an American art collector, venture capitalist, philanthropist, and computer technology pioneer. He served in the US Army as a meteorological officer during World War II.^[1] Palevsky first worked on a computer project at Bendix, and went on to work at Packard Bell. He convinced the company that they should enter the computer business and helped develop the PB-250 at Packard Bell, which was modestly successful. After raising around $1 million in venture capital, he left Packard Bell to found Scientific Data Systems of California in 1961. Within a year they introduced the model 910 computer, which made them profitable. Initially, they targeted scientific and medical computing markets. Palevsky sold SDS to Xerox in 1969 for $920 million.^[2]

Contents 1 California Politics 2 Arts, Culture, and Venture Capital 3 The University of Chicago 4 Notes

[edit] California Politics

He dabbled in politics, supporting Robert F. Kennedy and George McGovern, and managing, among other projects, Tom Bradley's first successful campaign for mayor of Los Angeles in 1973. He made numerous friends and allies on the Californian political scene, including former governor Gray Davis, who were dismayed at his $1 million dollar contribution in support of California Proposition 25, a campaign-finance reform initiative. He said to Newsweek: "I am making this million-dollar contribution in hopes that I will never again legally be allowed to write huge checks to California political candidates.^[1]

[edit] Arts, Culture, and Venture Capital

As a venture capitalist, Palevsky has helped to fund many companies, including Intel and Rolling Stone magazine, which he rescued from financial destruction in 1971. While on the board at Rolling Stone, he became friendly with the late Dr. Hunter S. Thompson, inventor of Gonzo journalism.^[3] He has bankrolled several Hollywood films.^[4] Author Albert Goldman dedicated his controversial 1988 biography The Lives of John Lennon to Palevsky.

Palevsky also collects art and has given generously to establish and maintain institutions of visual art. He established the Palevsky Design Pavilion at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. He also built an Arts & Crafts collection at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and donated $1 million to help establish the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art.^[1]

[edit] The University of Chicago

Palevsky is an alumnus of the University of Chicago, and earned undergraduate degrees in both Philosophy and Mathematics in 1948. He served as a trustee at his alma mater from 1972-1982. He established the Palevsky Professorship in History and Civilization in 1972, and the Palevsky Faculty Fund in 1996.

In 2000, Palevsky donated $20 million to the University of Chicago to enhance residential life. In 2001, the University completed construction on three large, colorful dorms that are connected through underground tunnels and bear his name. A restored one-screen theater at the University is also named after him, and is the home of the University's Doc Films, the oldest continuously-running student film association in the United States.^[1]

[edit] Notes

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Leovy, Jennifer. "Pledge of $20 million from Max Palevsky to enhance residential life", The University of Chicago Chronicle, 2000-07-13. Retrieved on 2006-05-23.
2. ^ 20th Century American Leaders Database
3. ^ Thompson, Hunter S. "Fear and Loathing in America: the Brutal Odyssey of an Outlaw Journalist, 1968-1976", Douglas Brinkley, ed. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2000. p.361
4. ^ Max Palevsky at IMDB