Paterson credits the success of his creation to timing and necessity. Software for the new 8086 processor had been overdue, so he just went ahead and built his own. It could be said that people like Ted Hoff contributed also with the invention of the microchip, as well as Steve Jobs at Apple providing competition and the necessity for new programs. Paterson came and went from Microsoft during the 80's, but has been a permanent asset there since 1990. In 1991 he was recognized along with Bill Gates for the Stewart Alsop Hindsight Award.
Life begins with a disk drive.
Cited Inventors of the Modern Computer . Dos for Dummies . The Roots of DOS . 4 Oct. 1999. A Short History of MS-DOS .