Roger Douglas Melen (1946–2024)[1][2] was an electrical engineer recognized for his early contributions to the microcomputer industry, and for his technical innovations.

His first published invention, an audio filter he called the "Beatnote Basher," appeared in the amateur radio publication 73 Magazine in 1969.

[12] He also applied CCD technology to medical ultrasonic imaging systems,[13] and worked on the development of an implantable cochlear device for the profoundly deaf.

While visiting the editorial office of Popular Electronics in New York to discuss the Cyclops, Melen saw a prototype of the MITS Altair Computer that was also being readied for publication.

Recognizing the potential of interfacing the Cyclops digital camera to the Altair, Melen changed his return flight to California to go through Albuquerque to visit Ed Roberts, president of MITS.

[20] Melen and his team developed a series of other products culminating in the introduction of complete computer systems based on the Zilog Z80 microprocessor, and later the Motorola 68000 processor.

[33] His role as a pioneer in the microcomputer industry has been recognized in numerous books,[1][3][16][17] and by his appearance in the 1996 PBS documentary, The Triumph of the Nerds: The Rise of Accidental Empires.