In 1961, Richard Mattessich revolutionized the field of business accounting by introducing the concept of electronic spreadsheets. As an Austrian-Canadian business economist and Emeritus Professor of Accounting at the University of British Columbia, Mattessich pioneered analytical and philosophical methods in accounting, and his invention of the electronic spreadsheet had a profound impact on the industry. This computerized version of the classic paper spreadsheet used by accountants stores numeric data in two-dimensional tables and displays the results of calculations performed on the data. Mattessich’s innovation laid the foundation for modern digital accounting practices and continues to be an essential tool for businesses and accountants around the world.
