Larry A. Summers papers

Collection — Box: Individual Manuscripts Box 6, Folder: 10

Identifier: 124.5557

Collection Scope and Content Note

The Larry A. Summer papers document Larry Summers' career as a programmer of electronic games for Atari and Packet Technologies in the 1980s. The materials date from 1981 to 1985 and consist of text and printed material. The papers are arranged chronologically.

The material includes an internal Atari publication, volume 1 number 4, Atari 81: Facilities; a photocopy of a 1982 article in theSan Jose Mercury, "2 games programmers meet unemployement head-on," by Evelyn Richards; a 1983 program manual forExcaliber published by Atari Program Exchange; a letter of recommendation for Larry Summers written by Chris Crawford circa 1984; Functional Specifications for the "Arabian Adventures" by Larry A. Summers, revised 1985 January 20; and undated color printouts of game graphics, likely from Arabian Adventures.

Dates

Creation: 1981-1984

Creator

Atari, Inc. Home Computer Division (Organization)
Atari, Inc. (Organization)
Summers, Larry A. (Person)
Packet Technologies Inc. (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

The Larry A. Summers papers are open for research use by staff of The Strong and users of its library and archives.

Conditions Governing Use

Though the donor has not transferred intellectual property rights (including, but not limited to any copyright, trademark, and associated rights therein) to The Strong, he has given permission for The Strong to make copies in all media for museum, educational, and research purposes.

Biographical Note

Larry A. Summers worked at Atari in the early 1980s in the Games Design Research Group under Chris Crawford. Summers and Crawford created the game Excalibur, about King Arthur's court, which was published by Atari Program Exchange. Crawford designedExcalibur, and Summers was the programming project leader. In 1982, Summers and Crawford were laid off by Atari and eventually went to work for Packet Technologies Inc. At Packet, Summers created the unpublished game "Arabian Adventures."

Summers' games were made with the creative aspects of game design, rather than revenue, at the forefront. Crawford expressed his support for Summers in a recommendation letter which characterized him by his optimism, sense of professional duty and good design.

Extent

0.2 Linear Feet (1 folder)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Larry A. Summer papers include materials related to Larry Summers' work on electronic games for Atari and Packet Technologies in the 1980s. The materials date from 1981 to 1985 and include a newspaper article, a letter of recommendation, a manuscript, a program manual, a newsletter, and graphics print outs.

System of Arrangement

The papers are arranged in chronological order.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The Larry Summers papers were donated to The Strong in September 2024 as a gift from Kay Savetz. The papers were accessioned by The Strong under object ID 124.5557. The papers were received from Kay Savetz in one envelope.