New Kickstarter Campaign Will Fund Documentary on Captain Crunch's Life and Impact on Technology

'What if we told you the history you've been told about modern technology isn't quite what it should be?' asks a new Kickstarter campaign for a film about the life of John 'Captain Crunch' Draper.

79-year-old Draper is often remembered for his influential early encounters with Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, and Draper's early association with Apple Computers is even recognized in the film's title — 'Employee 13.' But the trailer also promises the larger life story of Draper, 'an eccentric genius who went from being a penniless hacker to a millionaire and back again.'

What if inventions as big as the internet were envisioned before its time by a brilliant and divergent individual you've probably never heard of?

What if someone long overlooked is responsible for inspiring some of the most legendary names in Silicon Valley yet whose notoriety is, oppositely, more synonymous with scandal rather than success?

Employee 13 is an important new film project illuminating the intriguing life and influential achievements of John Draper, also known as 'Captain Crunch,' a hacker and inventor with autism.

The campaign says 'John's ability to see what others could not influenced an industry, society and culture,' and argues that his unique perspective in living with autism 'enabled his notable discoveries and contributions advancing technology.'

The film is in pre-production, 'but we need your help to make it happen.' (And to 'shed light on the dim outcome of one brilliant man's life that was scrutinized without understanding, at a time when autism awareness and support did not exist.')
A poster for the movie hails Draper as an 'OG hacker, internet technology pioneer, and champion for digital privacy.'

Read more of this story at Slashdot.