David Gordon

David Gordon
Gardon, David Lawrence
Died	February 9, 1996 North Hills, California
Occupation	Founder

Career

Mid-1970s: David Gordon developed a passion for microcomputers, acquiring a TRS‑80 and Commodore PET before upgrading to an Apple II in early 1977.
He began collecting and distributing Apple II software and established connections with Apple luminaries, including Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Mike Markkula.
In 1978, Gordon co-founded Programma International with Mel Norell. The company became one of the earliest major microcomputer publishers, eventually releasing over 300 titles before encountering quality and financial problems.
In October 1980, Programma International was sold to Hayden Publishing, and Gordon stayed on as VP and GM until spring 1981.

After leaving Programma, Gordon founded Datamost in 1981, based in Chatsworth, CA.
Datamost specialized in publishing both computer games and educational/reference books, primarily for the Apple II, Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit, and early IBM PC.
The company’s first notable release was Randy Hyde’s Using 6502 Assembly Language, selling around 30,000 copies in late 1981.

In 1981–82, Datamost released hit games like Thief by Bob Flanagan and Snack Attack by Dan Illowsky. Snack Attack appeared on Softalk's best-seller list for months, peaking at #3 in summer 1982.
The company expanded rapidly: by early 1982, it moved into dedicated offices and hired its first employee, then scaling to around 60 staff and 30 freelance developers by 1983. Annual revenues reportedly reached $2 million in 1982, with projections of over $10 million the following year from software and book sales.

Datamost published dozens of video games, educational software, and 30+ reference books covering major platforms, programming languages, and technical documentation.
Star programmers in their lineup included Dan Illowsky, Bob Bishop, Bob Flanagan, David Van Brink, and Chris Oberth.

The video-game crash of 1983 hit Datamost hard; arcade-style game sales collapsed and inventory issues compounded financial losses, forcing the company to seek creditor protection in mid‑1984.
By 1984, Datamost ceased publishing operations, though its games remained beloved among enthusiasts and collectors.

Under Gordon’s leadership, both Programma International and Datamost left an indelible mark on early personal computing— releasing hundreds of titles, fostering key developers, and legitimizing software as both product and content.
David Lawrence Gordon passed away on February 9, 1996, in North Hills, California, at age 52.
His influence continued through his sons and the preservation efforts of vintage computing communities dedicated to maintaining Datamost’s legacy.