ACM Interactions

Authors:
Shelley Evenson, Justin Rheinfrank, Hugh Dubberly

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After a long career in systems engineering and design, John Rheinfrank died on July 4, 2004. John's Ph.D. dissertation explored what he called "organic systems theory," or what's now called "complex adaptive systems"—bridging multiple disciplines and theoretical frames (e.g., biology, computing, economics, psychology, and sociology). John spent most of his professional life applying principles derived from living systems to designing systems for people—from design languages that could serve as the foundation for a broad range of reprographic machines for Xerox, to personal information and communication appliances for Philips. In essence, he wanted us to design systems that are alive.…

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