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Born in 1956, graduated with an undergraduate math degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology ([[MIT]]) in 1978, then an MIT SM degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) then specializing in robotics. Hillis completed his PhD in EECS from MIT in 1988, under Gerald Jay Sussman.

Born in 1956, graduated with an undergraduate math degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology ([[MIT]]) in 1978, then an MIT SM degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) then specializing in robotics. Hillis completed his PhD in EECS from MIT in 1988, under Gerald Jay Sussman.

At MIT he was already well known for his accomplishments as a computer science student. He built a computer that played tic-tac-toe made of tinkertoys and went on to design computer-oriented toys and games for the [[Milton Bradley Company]]. He also co-founded Terrapin Inc., a producer of computer software for elementary schools. Later, he became vice-president of Walt Disney Imagineering, the research and development arm of The Walt Disney Company.

At MIT he was already well known for his accomplishments as a computer science student. He built a computer that played [[Tic-Tac-Toe]] made of tinkertoys and went on to design computer-oriented toys and games for the [[Milton Bradley Company]]. He also co-founded Terrapin Inc., a producer of computer software for elementary schools. Later, he became vice-president of Walt Disney Imagineering, the research and development arm of The Walt Disney Company.

For his doctoral work, Hillis designed the Connection Machine, a massively parallel computer built as a platform for [[artificial intelligence]] and simulation of complex physical systems. This is written up in Kevin Kelly's book "Out of Control."

For his doctoral work, Hillis designed the Connection Machine, a massively parallel computer built as a platform for [[artificial intelligence]] and simulation of complex physical systems. This is written up in Kevin Kelly's book "Out of Control."