A Good Father: A Standard Feature of Successful People

Chapter 81 A Good Father: A Standard Feature of Successful People

Although Ethan was a time traveler who prided himself on having seen a lot, he had never seen anything like this before.

Steven Spielberg's father and Professor Ralph Bell actually know each other.

What kind of bizarre relationship is this?!

Why do these strange connections exist in the world?

Ethan couldn't understand it.

A huge question mark appeared on its little head.

At his shake of the head, Spielberg laughed, looking at the bewildered Ethan, and said, "OHHHH, Ethan, do you not believe me? Or are you just curious about my father?"

"Of course, it's out of curiosity." Ethan circled his index finger next to his temple.

"Because I can't understand it, I can't understand the relationship between you, I can't connect them."

Spielberg shook his head repeatedly at his blunt words, saying, "What's so hard to understand?"

Then, he went on to point out, "Weren't you all wondering before why someone with a C grade could get into California State University, Long Beach, after being rejected by other universities three times?"

"Do I have some extraordinary talent?"

"But if I have a special talent, why doesn't the USC Film School see it?"

"Shouldn't the most normal outcome for someone like me be to go straight to community college?"

Although it was a question, Spielberg didn't intend for the two to guess randomly; instead, he answered his own question—

"It's simple, because my father thought my IQ was normal."

"My father believed that as long as I was willing to spend time studying, I would definitely be able to graduate smoothly from an ordinary university."

"So he got me into California State University."

"After all, my father is an electronics engineer, so he knows a few people."

"It might be difficult for him to teach me how to make movies, but if he could get me into college..."

"It's still quite relaxing."

Through Spielberg's narration, Ethan and Jobs discovered that Spielberg, this guy with thick eyebrows and big eyes, actually had a good father!

His father, Arnold Spielberg, was an electrical engineer who attended the University of Cincinnati and earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering before joining the RCA in 1949.

RCA is an electronics company founded in 1919, initially by General Electric, Westinghouse Electric, Telephone & Telegraph, and Union Fruit Company. When these formidable tech giants came together, RCA directly dominated the development of America's electronics and communications industry. NBC, the nationwide broadcasting network, was established by them. They also spearheaded the popularization of black-and-white and color television.

After joining the company, Spielberg's father immediately became an important member. He invented a magnetic tape data classifier and retrieval device related to computer storage and obtained a patent. He also developed a POS retrieval system used in supermarkets. The original version of the functions that we see on the market today, such as finding product prices, calculating consumption tax, calculating discounts, and verifying credit, was made by him.

Because of his exceptional computer skills, Spielberg was recruited by General Electric in 1957. He then participated in the development of GE's first computer and had a profound impact on the GE series.

To be honest, Spielberg was being modest when he described his father as outstanding!

His father's achievements in the field of computers have surpassed those of 99% of engineers!

That represents a tiny fraction of humanity's cutting-edge technology!

When this fact came to light, Ethan looked at Jobs with a distorted expression, like a badger that had drunk chicken soup with added spice.

Those bright eyes were filled with endless doubt.

It was practically as if it were written all over their faces: "Do you know about this?"

Even without being explicitly stated, Jobs understood.

He shook his head and said, "I don't know."

Ethan and Jobs's cryptic behavior made Spielberg laugh, and he slapped the table, "Hey! Can you guys stop this?"

"I don't want to talk about this kind of thing, simply because I feel it's unnecessary."

"We're all friends who came together because of shared interests, so why do we have to create unnecessary distance between each other?"

What the hell!

Ethan was truly impressed by Versailles' behavior!

If he could, he would even like to wash his hands and touch Spielberg's trophy!

How can you be so good at this?!

Of course, after his initial surprise, he also realized that the guy meant no harm.

So Ethan then asked, "How did your father and Professor Ralph Bell meet?"

"Because they are all senior members of IEEE."

Since the topic has already been discussed to this point, Spielberg will not hold back any longer.

He then pointed to his nose and said, "Moreover, Professor Bell and my father had the same experience."

Although that history is a painful fact for Spielberg, time always heals wounds and makes them remember the hatred.

Spielberg sighed and said, "Between 41 and 45, a total of twenty members of our family perished."

"This incident caused my father great grief."

"Because I wasn't born when it happened, sometimes I simply can't truly understand my father's feelings."

"But Professor Bell can."

"Because Hans the cat escaped from their home before that night."

"So, after meeting at IEEE and learning about each other's identities, they had a lot to talk about."

"Professor Bell recalled that suffocating history to my father and told us a terrifying story."

"My father burst into tears after hearing this."

"Because he always felt that he could see his deceased relatives waving to him..."

Spielberg paused at this point.

He pursed his lips, his young face etched with pain and helplessness.

Ethan and Jobs remained silent.

Because they all knew that at this moment, silence was the best comfort.

Of course, while observing the moment of silence, Ethan was also filled with countless emotions.

Steven Spielberg's father and Professor Ralph Bell had such a connection.

Isn't this just too damn coincidental?

Did the answers already appear on the test paper before he even started answering the questions?

Isn't this a bit unfair to the other test takers?

but……

He likes it!

That's right!

Ethan is such a genuine person!

When a perfectly clear relationship is laid out in front of him, to not use it would be idiotic!

If it weren't for the occasion, he would have jumped up and laughed out loud right now—

Are patents for video games and training devices really that impressive?

Mirohua, who do you think you are?!

I've found a connection! I'm coming to steal your house!

Hahahaha—

Note: ① Spielberg's father, Arnold Spielberg, is a figure who has entered the Computer History Museum. He was a true giant. He may not have pioneered a new field, but his contributions to the development of computers are undeniable. Moreover, in 2006, his father received the IEEE Pioneer Award for "his development of a real-time data acquisition and recording system that made a significant contribution to the definition of modern process control and feedback." This award is extremely prestigious; Robert Kahn, a colleague of Vinton Cerf, the co-inventor of the TCP/IP protocol, also received this award. ② United Fruit Company was incredibly powerful, the world's largest banana corporation. It still exists today, just under a different name, Chinchida. ③ The exact number of Spielberg's relatives who perished is uncertain; some say sixteen, some twenty, some sixteen to twenty—I'm not sure. ④ I think I've already written about Ralph Bell being Jewish, right? His escape from Germany before Kristallnacht? I think I've already written about that in the IEEE as well? I won't repeat the notes here.

(End of this chapter)