ABSTRACT
In this interview conducted in 1997 by Agnes Szokolszky David N. Lee recollects how, as a mathematics graduate, he first worked in psychological medicine research in a Medical Research Council Unit in London. He invokes the mid-1960s when he went to the United States to study computer simulation of cognitive processes at Carnegie Tech. with Herbert Simon and Lee Gregg. He describes how he became disappointed with the General Problem Solver and how his interest shifted to perception and action. He recollects that reading a book by Gibson became a “eureka” experience. A key fellowship year with Gibson followed at Cornell in 1969–1970. He depicts the inspiring social-intellectual atmosphere and research at Cornell. In an essential part of the interview, he speaks about his research including the famous “swinging room” experiment in the 1970s, and the discovery of Tau, the optic parameter related to “time-to-contact.” He details further human and animal experimentation and theorization built on the original insights. In his current reflection, he reviews the major landmarks of his research since the time of the original interview. The chapter contains a short biography and a list of David Lee's ten most important publications.
