Well, it looks like it's the season for pioneering inventors to be honored, with Chuck Thacker's recent Turing Award win now followed up by Roger L. Easton's induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

ENGADGET: GPS pioneer Roger L. Easton inducted into National Inventors Hall of Fame

Pike isn't overstating it when says the influence of Ritchie's work can't be overstated, and though Ritchie received the Turing Award in 1983 and the National Medal of Technology in 1998, he still hasn't gotten his due.

CNN: Dennis Ritchie: The shoulders Steve Jobs stood on