Timothy E. Parker (Finding Aid)

Timothy E. Parker

1960 -

Favorite Color: Purple

Favorite Food: Spaghetti and Meatballs

Favorite Time of Year: Christmastime

Favorite Vacation Spot: The Bahamas

Interview Length: 117 minutes

Interview Date(s): June 21, 2001, June 22, 2001

Interview Location(s): Catonsville, Maryland

Abstract

Timothy Parker details his hardscrabble childhood of poverty which changed as his father's construction business took off. Parker's life took another great leap forward when he was awarded a scholarship to a prestigious Baltimore boy's academy, the Gilman School. While there, Parker noticed the great disparity of social status and economics between his classmates and himself. Timothy Parker describes the sea change that matriculating at the Gilman School brought in his life. Parker excelled academically as well as in sports. When approached by the Pittsburgh Pirates as a prospect, Parker's family refused to allow him to spend the summer in training camp because no one had ever lived away from home before. After graduating from the University of Maryland, Parker rose through the corporate ranks when he finally hit the glass ceiling. A moment of quiet in an airport led him to think about creating puzzles. Timothy Parker describes the great epiphany of creating crossword puzzles. He encountered much flack from his former employer, but his wife was supportive. After spending three months learning computer code, Parker created the first Internet interactive crossword puzzle for the masses. He differentiates his puzzles from those of the New York Times, which he feels are deliberately difficult and meant to make people feel stupid if they can't solve the puzzles. Timothy Parker describes in detail how he leaped to the forefront of the puzzle industry and has branched out into other portable games. At the time of the interview, he was in discussion with Sony/TriStar to develop a television game show. Parker also discusses how those in the industry perceive him as a successful black entrepreneur. Timothy Parker provides commentary to the photographs he provided covering his childhood and his achievements in adulthood.

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