Norman Abramson, the wireless network pioneer known for leading the development of Hawaii's ALOHAnet, died last week at 88 (Steve Lohr/New York Times)

Steve Lohr / New York Times:
Norman Abramson, the wireless network pioneer known for leading the development of Hawaii's ALOHAnet, died last week at 88  —  His ALOHAnet, designed a half-century ago in Hawaii, was a precursor to the technology used in today's smartphones and home WiFi networks.