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ACM opens Speaker Series with talk by Internet pioneer, UCLA professor

Leonard Kleinrock, one of the Internet’s early pioneers, spoke to about 30 students in a crowded Boelter Hall classroom Wednesday. (Kailey Rishovd/Daily Bruin)

By Edward Pedroza

Nov. 13, 2014 1:12 a.m.

The original version of this article contained information that was unclear and has been changed. See the bottom of the article for more information.

Forty-five years ago, he sent the first ever instant message from the halls of Boelter to a computer in a Stanford lab. The Stanford computer crashed almost instantly, flashing just the letters “LO” before going blank.

Wednesday, Leonard Kleinrock, one of the Internet’s early pioneers spoke to about 30 students in a crowded Boelter Hall classroom about his struggle to become a computer scientist and the future of the discipline.

Kleinrock, a distinguished professor of computer science, was the first guest speaker in the Association for Computing Machinery’s new Speaker Series. The student group aims to have an influential player in computer science come speak to the UCLA community once every two weeks.

The Internet was born in Kleinrock’s lab in 3420 Boelter Hall when his computer became the first node of the Internet and he transmitted the first message in 1969.

Kleinrock said his path to sending the first message over the Internet began at an early age. At 6 years old, he followed the instructions of a Superman comic book to build a radio out of vacuum tubes and headphones he stole from a telephone booth.

Kleinrock also shared seven life lessons to students that he gained over the years.

One lesson was to always work hard, because he thinks an important discovery can come at any time, he said. Another was to “never follow the pack.” Instead, he said he thinks taking chances and not following a planned, rigid path is crucial to success.

Kelly O’Malley, a second-year computer science student and an officer of ACM, said she enjoyed hearing Kleinrock’s ideas and the stories of challenges throughout his life.

She said she hopes to be an entrepreneur some day, and was inspired by Kleinrock’s life lessons.

Grace Phillips, a first-year biology student, said it was motivating for her to meet Kleinrock in person because he is a well-known figure in the industry. Phillips added that she plans to switch her major to computer science in the near future.

“(Kleinrock) is a huge pioneer of the Internet.” she said. “It was really interesting to hear the history of something that is so natural and common in our lives.”

The ACM hosts speakers biweekly to connect computer science students and help them learn more about the field outside of the classroom, said Fay Wu, a third-year computer science student and outreach director for the group.

“We really want to foster a community here,” she said.

Wu added that she thinks there is a lack of networking opportunities for computer science students outside of class, which prompted the student group to plan the speaker series.

Later in the year, the group hopes to bring more speakers to campus, including Blizzard Entertainment executives and the chair of the UCLA Computer Science Department.

Clarification: The Internet was born in Kleinrock’s lab. O’Malley is an officer of ACM.

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