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Before Silicon Valley, New Jersey Reigned As Nation's Center Of Innovation

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Re: Before Silicon Valley, New Jersey Reigned As Nation's Center Of Innovation

#71

Even as Silicon Valley was still in its infancy, a group of organizations including Bell, MCI, GM, and others hired Fred Terman from Stanford to make NJ more like what Silicon Valley (NJ and SV share a ton of similarities, i did a tedx talk about it below [1]) but Terman was unsuccessful. He pointed to how Princeton was not focused enough on applied science the way Stanford was. East coast politics and stock market d…

Thanks for the YouTube link: I enjoyed your talk.

Re: Before Silicon Valley, New Jersey Reigned As Nation's Center Of Innovation

#72

Even as Silicon Valley was still in its infancy, a group of organizations including Bell, MCI, GM, and others hired Fred Terman from Stanford to make NJ more like what Silicon Valley (NJ and SV share a ton of similarities, i did a tedx talk about it below [1]) but Terman was unsuccessful. He pointed to how Princeton was not focused enough on applied science the way Stanford was. East coast politics and stock market d…

The old Bell Labs building is, finally, under a revitalization and reuse of the workspace called Bell Works (http://bell.works/neighborhood/). Based on job listings it seems NVIDIA's AI/Autonomous driving is happening there. As someone who lives close by, but commutes to NYC, I can only hope to see more big name companies move in.

As for Fort Monmouth, pretty much all the offices were moved to Aberdeen as part of the last BRAC. As you stated there was a lot of work being done there related to communications & intelligence (I believe a lot of GPS work was out of there). It was a real hit to the local community when it shut down since it happened in the middle of the housing crisis. A lot of families were forced to short sale or do long commutes. The space is finally up purchase, but sadly it will be getting used to build more condos & a shopping center. There were rumors of Monmouth University and Rutgers wanting to get access to the space but were declined.

Re: Before Silicon Valley, New Jersey Reigned As Nation's Center Of Innovation

#73

Interesting seeing this story this morning, my company recently moved into the old Bell Labs building. Now called Bell Works, it does actually look like it's going to become a hub of new tech companies in the area. It's pretty humbling to walk into this giant building every day knowing some of the amazing things that were invented here.

I keep looking for opportunities in Bell Works. I would gladly give up my 2 hour commute from the shore area to NYC to work in Holmdel. I could even ride my bike.

Re: Before Silicon Valley, New Jersey Reigned As Nation's Center Of Innovation

#75

I don't know what's more sad, the fact that NJ killed its own tech scene or that the revival efforts shining example focus on a "company that helps people make money on videos they post on social media". That's certainly a far cry from inventing the transistor and pioneering radio. Yep, NJ is still (for now) dead to tech. It reminds me of Columbus, Ohio, which used to be a big Internet and tech hub. Now, only burnt e…

> I'm sorry but social media marketing is a business, not real innovative technology.

Is anything really claiming with a straight face that social media marketing is innovative technology?

Re: Before Silicon Valley, New Jersey Reigned As Nation's Center Of Innovation

#76
post #4

So there's silicon alley in NY, silicon prairie in the midwest, silicon forest in portland, what do we call Jersey?

If you wanted to confuse the hell out of people, you could call it "Silicon Garden", after the state's nickname, the Garden State.

Of course, it's only really confusing if your only touch points in the state are I-95 and US-1. A small handful of miles either direction off the Northeast Corridor, and the state earns its nickname.

Re: Before Silicon Valley, New Jersey Reigned As Nation's Center Of Innovation

#77

Interesting seeing this story this morning, my company recently moved into the old Bell Labs building. Now called Bell Works, it does actually look like it's going to become a hub of new tech companies in the area. It's pretty humbling to walk into this giant building every day knowing some of the amazing things that were invented here.

I keep looking for opportunities in Bell Works. I would gladly give up my 2 hour commute from the shore area to NYC to work in Holmdel. I could even ride my bike.

Holy crap. You drive up from the jersey shore to NYC every day??

Re: Before Silicon Valley, New Jersey Reigned As Nation's Center Of Innovation

#78
I just stared an internship at Bell Labs Murray Hill. Growing up in Holmdel, I've been a fan of Bell Labs since childhood and feel so happy to be working here. The atmosphere and energy from all the amazing achievements is really palpable.

Word is the acquisition of Alcatel Lucent by Nokia has really put Bell Labs back into the public spotlight. Excited to see what the future holds and I hope I can still be a part of it!

Re: Before Silicon Valley, New Jersey Reigned As Nation's Center Of Innovation

#79
post #38
post #4

So there's silicon alley in NY, silicon prairie in the midwest, silicon forest in portland, what do we call Jersey?

Silicon Turnpike? disclaimer: I live in NJ and commute to NY, yes - to work for a big financial concern. Lo and behold, I was just informed that my company is moving a ton of staff to a new Jersey "campus." They have likened the new facility to google or Facebook (although, knowing stuffy finance, I have my doubts ;)

How long is your commute?

Re: Before Silicon Valley, New Jersey Reigned As Nation's Center Of Innovation

#80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I keep looking for opportunities in Bell Works. I would gladly give up my 2 hour commute from the shore area to NYC to work in Holmdel. I could even ride my bike.

Holy crap. You drive up from the jersey shore to NYC every day??

I take the train which is 78-80 minutes, but all told it takes 2 hours door to door.
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