Stephen Wilhite

Stephen Wilhite was an American computer scientist who invented the Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) in 1987. The GIF is a popular image format that supports both static and animated images, making it widely used for sharing short animations and graphics on the internet. Wilhite’s innovation helped improve how images are compressed and displayed online, enabling faster loading times. Although there has been debate over pronunciation, Wilhite himself stated it should be pronounced "Jiff," like the peanut butter brand. His work significantly influenced digital media and online communication.