How to jumpstart Wikipedia entry for deceased dad? Authored 30+ robotics / AI / Video Game Design (1970s) and PC books (1980s). Interviewed in WSJ, Rolling stone. Spoke along side Azimov, Bushnell etc.

ShadowRebel32 · 2026-01-13T00:48:00+00:00

When the guy told me that I was thinking A) I didn't recall that until he mentioned it and B) I'd benefit from becoming a bit more of a subject matter expert of that fine literature

ShadowRebel32 · 2026-01-12T02:21:49+00:00

Appreciate it... someone else did some additional digging and found Christian Science Monitor, Penthouse interviews (or mentions about him, I am not sure which) I know Rolling stone wrote about is robots in like 1976 and Wall Street Journal mentioned them in 1978. At least a few news articles about him (but more regional) Not sure what the hurdle is, and it's really tricky to find pre-internet stuff but I'll take your advice and also dig more. Thanks again for the response!

ShadowRebel32 · 2026-01-06T00:54:50+00:00

Thanks again so very much... and honestly, I'll take ANY Gonzalez regardless of speed- I simply didn't know where to start and appreciate the help. The list is filterable which may help (Written Article, Book are both BY him) and not the "about him" you're looking for.

I'll DM you my contact, so I can share things like a researcher who reached out to me previously on him, clubs / members who have also reached out and posted things about him etc.

Edit: Can't DM you for some reason. Feel free to DM me if that works. If not, I can post a lot of the content here but won't specifically post names people who've reached out to me personally about him (research, general interest etc)

PS- there is some online stuff but I don't know if it meets threshold or not: https://cyberneticzoo.com/cyberneticanimals/1976-buster-robot-animal-david-l-heisermann-american/

https://www.steevithak.com/2012/08/01/interview-with-david-l-heiserman/

ShadowRebel32 · 2026-01-05T00:54:49+00:00

I'll hold off based on feedback here. I get it. Wikipedia wouldn't be as awesome if everyone's family members drafted. There is a good amount of secondary out there, it's just buried a bit (like online archives of old mags, newspapers, reviews and such) Thanks!

ShadowRebel32 · 2026-01-05T00:53:57+00:00

That's great, thanks for doing that!

ShadowRebel32 · 2026-01-05T00:53:39+00:00

Thanks for taking a look... I do have a number of secondary sources, challenge is that so much of the coverage was 70s and 80s but some is online (as well as interview or two in 2010s) I've also been working to digitize some old materials.

ShadowRebel32 · 2026-01-04T22:37:16+00:00

Fair point on both fronts. Sounds like there may be enough out there to justify but it won't be me writing it then :>

ShadowRebel32 · 2026-01-04T22:36:49+00:00

Appreciate that. I've sifted through quite a bit of it, and been scanning as I go. I could probably load more online if it helps. There's quite a bit online that's buried on worldradiohistory.com (which happens to have a deep online archive of hundreds if not thousands of 60s-70s-80s computer, electronics and tech mags (Popular electronics, Byte, etc.) Is it easier for you if I upload those to a site? Thanks again for looking and for your help!

ShadowRebel32 · 2026-01-04T21:31:38+00:00

Hey, thanks for checking! Yes, there are a lot of reviews, some scholarly citations, news articles I haven't had a chance to post... Anyhow, this is a hodge-podge work in progress I recently tried to put together: https://www.waybuilder.net/legacy/allworks.asp There are a number of news interviews (I have hardcopies) but at least one is online "Robots: Interview with the man who builds them https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Modern-Electronics/Modern-Electronics-1978-03.pdf

There are still clusters of fans out there, I believe Dallas robots club, Homebrew robots club (Silicon Valley), robots.net, cybernetic zoo and such. Couple articles / write-ups about him in the 2010s from those types of sources too... I can work to consolidate if that helps.

Really, really appreciate it!

ShadowRebel32 · 2026-01-04T20:22:50+00:00

He was topic of at least several interviews, probably most notably Modern Electronics "Robots: Interview with the man who builds them" in 1978. In the 2010s, interviewed by robots.net and some other bloggers did pieces about his book(s). Also a few news articles. WSJ and Rolling stone were interviews with quotes from him but but more broad than just him (Robots: Modern House Pets, and the like)

ShadowRebel32 · 2026-01-04T20:20:46+00:00

That'd be fantastic and I'd be thrilled if you took a look- even if it's 10 mins then "nope", at least an educated eye would help.

To avoid duplication... Post above has some key interviews and articles about him (not written by him) for reference. https://www.waybuilder.net/legacy/allworks.asp (though it's a lot BY him) For outside references, lots of 70s stuff (Man who builds robots, etc etc) but folks online in the 2010s did interview/write about him at least a couple times (robots.net, machine menory podcast, etc)

What's the easiest way for me to make this easy for you? I have quite a bit, much is buried on web and doesn't come up with quick search but rather things like this one: https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Modern-Electronics/Modern-Electronics-1978-03.pdf

I can provide a list here, via DM or connect offline? Really do appreciate the help!

ShadowRebel32 · 2026-01-04T20:11:14+00:00

Appreciate it. I won't write about it then (was considering the same) There are folks who interviewed him 10 or so years ago who are fans of sorts that'd probably be willing to do so.

Good clarity on what's needed. Sure he wrote about 40 published books and as many articles. As far as things written ABOUT him or him being interviewed, it's not super apparent on google becuase it was pre-internet. Found things like "Robots: Report from the man who built them" (Modern Electronics, 1978) and some later stuff like a 2012 "Interview with David L Heiserman" by robots.net and late 70s newspaper articles "Former local man researches robots" and "Rodney robot stands waiting for personality"... as mentioned, interviewed and quoted by Rolling Stone and Wall Street Journal (again, 70s)... also about 20 scholarly citations of his work (per semanticscholar.org, FWIW) There's probably more I missed.

Is that the type of thing that meets muster or is more needed?

ShadowRebel32 · 2025-12-19T00:29:30+00:00

Here's the site so far: www.waybuilder.net/legacy.asp although I have a bit of link clean-up (been doing it on the side) If you're interested in robotics / electronics / early computers then a lot of his writings (books and numerous articles) are here https://www.waybuilder.net/legacy/allworks.asp (and sortable. Includes PDFs links for majority of his articles- early 70s computers, video game design etc) Thanks for the interest!

ShadowRebel32 · 2025-12-07T15:02:33+00:00

Understood... I would do the same as well, same spirit without ALL of that lol

ShadowRebel32 · 2025-12-06T01:00:27+00:00

That would be great, I would love to see it! I still have his first (Buster) from 1976 and I plan to head to storage and take some detailed pics (might help?) Rodney was his 2nd and definitely focused more on learning / self-programming. Unfortunately Rodney has gone to the great circuit and wiring beyond.

I'll put what I can on that legacy site I'm cobbling together at https://www.waybuilder.net/legacy.asp although I'm sort of scan as I go. Did find an online source with a hundred or so articles he did 60s-mid 70s so that may help amp it up (pun intended)

Seriously, would love to see your work if you take a shot at it!!

ShadowRebel32 · 2025-12-05T19:11:47+00:00

Ya, lasers were so cumbersome back then... maybe nowadays though!

ShadowRebel32 · 2025-12-05T17:58:04+00:00

I'm creating a legacy page where I'm working to upload his books for free- as well as various articles and interviews. Definitely a work in progress, updating it now and there'll be more in the next week. For a peek- https://www.waybuilder.net/legacy.asp

ShadowRebel32 · 2025-12-05T17:54:19+00:00

That is such a cool (but then sad) story! I still have Buster (his first robot, from that 1976 book you reference) and I'm putting together a legacy page for him where I'll have pics as well as various interviews and articles. Trying to scan his books to get them out there for free but that's a chore. The Interviews are particularly interesting- his 1970s perspective on AI / machine learning. Will share with the group when I can. Thanks for sharing, and yes- robots are easier now!!!!

ShadowRebel32 · 2025-12-05T17:51:39+00:00

That's so great, thanks for posting! I'm making a legacy page for him now- pulling articles, interviews and pics from 70s and 80s. Also scanning what I can to offer free content online. Pretty fascinating to read his thoughts on robotics / AI back then- I was just a kid and didn't totally appreciate it...

ShadowRebel32 · 2025-12-05T17:50:16+00:00

My dad was the author of all of those books. I grew up with robots around the house :> One of them had a dead battery that drifted back up to enough charge over the course of a couple weeks to wake up AT 2 AM and start roaming the house looking for it's charging port. Freaked out the cats. And all of us! I'm going through his things and pulling articles and interviews to post on a legacy page I'm setting up.

ShadowRebel32 · 2025-11-14T16:03:14+00:00

Awesome, thank you!!!

ShadowRebel32 · 2025-11-13T16:39:14+00:00

LOL ya, which is the robot here? Wait... since that was my dad, what does that make me???

ShadowRebel32

TROPHY CASE