That's factually incorrect. Engelbart was recognized as the man that started it all by plenty of people in the industry, to the point the Logitech (a Swiss company, go figure) allocated him a an office for his Bootstrap Institute just because they thought it was the right thing to do.

https://www.technologyreview.com/2013/07/23/177246/douglas-e...

Anybody in the industry knows who Engelbart is and his name recognition is close to 100% in the circles where it matters. Between him and my late friend at Logitech they changed the world of personal computing.

But neither Engelbart or my friend were much on the 'cult of personality' and that is one reason their names are not 'household names' but Steve Jobs and Bill Gates are. I think that makes them nicer people, for not seeking that.

I think it's reasonable to think that he deserved more recognition.

But I also recall attending a Techcrunch party at Mike Arringtons house in 2006/7 or so that Engelbart showed up at briefly, and how fun it was to see him instantly surrounded like a celebrity, so I think you're righ he was recognised in the circles where it mattered.

Interesting, that much isn't common knowledge. I was only aware of the struggles he had at Time Share and later obscure research foundations. It's good to know his name mattered in important places, that kind of stuff often doesn't filter down to us on the outside.