David Pogue
Born 1963 · Age 62
American technology and science writer, TV presenter, CBS News Sunday Morning correspondent, NOVA host, bestselling author and creator of the Missing Manual series.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Shaker Heights, Ohio
David Welch Pogue born to Richard Welch Pogue and Patricia Ruth Raney in Shaker Heights, Ohio.
Began decade in Broadway musicals (conductor/arranger)
Spent roughly ten years working intermittently in New York as a conductor and arranger in Broadway musicals.
Graduated Yale University summa cum laude (BA, Music)
Earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Yale University, graduating summa cum laude with distinction in Music.
Started writing for Macworld (The Desktop Critic)
Began contributing to Macworld magazine; wrote a back-page column called The Desktop Critic; tenure lasted 1988–2000.
Published 'Macs For Dummies'
Authored Macs For Dummies (one of several For Dummies titles he wrote/co-wrote).
Published novel 'Hard Drive'
Published the fiction novel 'Hard Drive'.
Married Jennifer Letitia O'Sullivan
Marriage to Jennifer Letitia O'Sullivan (marriage listed as 1995–2011).
Published 'Classical Music for Dummies' (co-author)
Co-authored Classical Music For Dummies (with Scott Speck).
Launched 'The Missing Manual' book series
Started his own computer how-to book series, The Missing Manual, which became a long-running, best-selling reference line.
Ended regular Macworld tenure (1988–2000)
Concluded his regular contributions to Macworld after a 12+ year run (back-page column The Desktop Critic).
Joined The New York Times as personal-tech columnist
Became the New York Times personal-tech columnist; wrote the weekly 'State of the Art' column and maintained 'Pogue's Posts' blog.
Joined CBS News Sunday Morning as correspondent
Became a correspondent for CBS News Sunday Morning, producing and hosting technology, science, environment and showbiz stories.
Won Business Emmy for CBS Sunday Morning stories
Received a Business Emmy as correspondent for two CBS News Sunday Morning stories about Google and spam.
Hard drive recovery service disclosure controversy
Wrote a NYT review of a hard-drive recovery service that had been provided to him free; NPR commentary later criticized the nondisclosure and the Times ultimately paid for the service.
TED Talk on simplicity (TED 2006)
Delivered a 20-minute TED talk about simplicity in 2006.
Profiled on national TV programs (48 Hours, 60 Minutes) [approx]
Has been profiled on major news magazine shows such as 48 Hours and 60 Minutes (exact dates not specified in source).
Aired 'It's All Geek to Me' (Discovery HD / Science Channel)
Six-episode how-to consumer-technology TV series aired on Discovery HD and Science channels.
Began regular appearances on CNBC 'Power Lunch' (2007–2011)
Provided a taped, three-minute comic tech review segment that aired on CNBC's Power Lunch and online outlets.
TED performance 'tedley' (TED 2007)
Performed a medley of high-tech song parodies at TED in 2007 (self-described 'tedley').
Received honorary doctorate in music (Shenandoah Conservatory)
Shenandoah Conservatory awarded an honorary Doctorate in Music for his contributions at the intersection of music and technology.
Won SABEW Best in Business Journalism award
Received the Society of Business Editors and Writers award for his New York Times video 'The iPhone Challenge: Keep it Quiet.'
Won two Webby Awards
On May 5, 2009, his New York Times online video series won two Webby Awards (Best Reality/Variety Host and Technology).
Launched 'Take Back the Beep' campaign
Launched a consumer campaign highlighting carriers' mandatory voicemail instructions; led to AT&T shortening its instructions.
NYT Public Editor flagged Snow Leopard conflict of interest
NYT Public Editor Clark Hoyt wrote that Pogue's review of Snow Leopard (a product for which he wrote a Missing Manual) raised ethical questions; Pogue posted ethics note and a disclosure was added.
Exposed Verizon 'bogus data downloads' charge
Reported that some Verizon phones charged $1.99 for accidental mobile web launches; reporting prompted FCC inquiry.
Verizon agrees to pay up to $90M in refunds
Following inquiries triggered by reporting (including Pogue's), Verizon agreed to pay up to $90 million in refunds to affected customers.
Started monthly Scientific American column 'Techno Files' (2010–2019)
Wrote a monthly technology column for Scientific American for roughly a decade.
Won Gerald Loeb Award for Online Commentary & Blogging
Received the 2010 Gerald Loeb Award for Online Commentary & Blogging for 'Pogue's Posts' at The New York Times.
Met Nicole 'Nicki' Dugan (later spouse)
Met Nicole Dugan during a 2010 NOVA shoot and began a long-distance relationship (they married in 2013).
Marriage to Jennifer ended (divorce noted)
Public listings show first marriage ended in 2011.
Hosted NOVA series 'Making Stuff' (premiered Jan 19, 2011)
Hosted a four-part PBS NOVA miniseries about materials science, airing on four consecutive Wednesdays starting Jan 19, 2011.
Won 'Golden Mouth Organ' (Late Late Show)
Won the show’s second 'Golden Mouth Organ' award for being able to play a harmonica presented on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.
Ragan Media Relations Summit presentation; Times issues restriction
Gave advice to PR professionals at the Ragan summit; The New York Times later determined the appearance was inappropriate and curbed PR-style speaking offers.
Hosted NOVA two-hour special 'Hunting the Elements' (aired Apr 4, 2012)
A two-hour NOVA special about the periodic table aired on April 4, 2012, hosted by Pogue.
Named Honorary Fellow of the Society for Technical Communication
Recognized as an Honorary Fellow by the Society for Technical Communication for contributions to technical communication.
Married Nicole 'Nicki' Dugan Pogue
Married Nicole Dugan (Nicki) after several years in a long-distance relationship; blended families with five children between them.
Hosted NOVA series 'Making More Stuff' (2013)
Hosted a follow-up NOVA series continuing the 'Making Stuff' exploration of materials and manufacturing.
Left The New York Times to join Yahoo (founded Yahoo Tech)
Announced departure from The New York Times to join Yahoo!, where he was to create a new consumer-technology website (Yahoo Tech).
TED talk 'driver's ed for tech' (TED 2013)
Gave a TED talk in 2013 offering practical tech tips for everyday users.
Published 'Pogue's Basics' (New York Times bestseller)
Released 'Pogue's Basics: Essential Tips and Shortcuts'; the book became a New York Times bestseller.
Missing Manual series milestone: ~120 titles and ~3M copies in print
By 2017 the Missing Manual series had grown to roughly 120 titles; overall book sales across his works reported at ~3 million copies in print.
Delivered University Forum lecture at Appalachian State University
Spoke on 'America and Science: The Path to Success in the Unrecognizable New World of Tech and Culture' on April 5, 2017.
Left Yahoo and returned to The New York Times
After five years at Yahoo (creating Yahoo Tech and producing content), he departed and announced his return to The New York Times to launch a new column ('Crowdwise' for Smarter Living).
Ended monthly 'Techno Files' Scientific American column
Concluded a roughly decade-long run writing the monthly 'Techno Files' column for Scientific American (2010–2019).
Published 'How to Prepare for Climate Change'
Released the book 'How to Prepare for Climate Change: A Practical Guide to Surviving the Chaos' (reviews and coverage appeared Dec 2020–Jan 2021).
Hosted NOVA series 'Beyond the Elements' (aired Feb 3, 2021)
Hosted a three-part NOVA series exploring how key molecules and reactions enabled life on Earth; aired beginning Feb 3, 2021.
CBS Sunday Morning report questioning Titan submersible safety
A December 2022 report that questioned the safety of the Titan submersible later drew attention when the vessel went missing in June 2023.
December 2022 CBS report went viral after Titan submersible missing
Pogue's Dec 2022 CBS report on Titan's safety spread widely on social media after the submersible went missing in June 2023 with five people aboard.
Moved to Bedford, Connecticut
Relocated to Bedford in September 2023 with wife Nicki; became active in local cultural and charitable activities.
Joined the Board of Bedford 2030 (local organization)
Listed as a member of the Board of Bedford 2030 and active in local philanthropy and events (reported in local profiles 2024–2025).
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