VisiCalc – The Early Days (2003)
VisiCalc, developed by Dan Bricklin and Bob Frankston, launched on October 17, 1979, revolutionizing personal computing by making spreadsheet software accessible to non-programmers and achieving significant sales success.
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VisiCalc, developed by Dan Bricklin and Bob Frankston, revolutionized personal computing by making spreadsheet software accessible to non-programmers. The journey began in 1978 when Bricklin conceptualized an electronic ledger, leading to the formation of Personal Software with Dan Fylstra. Initial discussions about the product's name included options like "Visible Calculator" and "Electronic Ledger," ultimately settling on VisiCalc. The development faced challenges, including royalty negotiations and funding, with Microchess sales helping finance VisiCalc's creation. By early 1979, VisiCalc was demonstrated to industry leaders, garnering mixed reactions. The software was officially launched on October 17, 1979, with impressive sales figures, establishing VisiCalc as a household name and a key player in the software industry. Its success contributed to Personal Software becoming the largest software company from 1979 to 1983, surpassing even Microsoft. VisiCalc's impact was profound, as it enabled users without programming skills to harness the power of personal computers, marking a significant shift in the software landscape.
- VisiCalc was developed by Dan Bricklin and Bob Frankston, making spreadsheets accessible to non-programmers.
- The software's name was chosen after discussions that included various alternatives.
- Microchess sales helped finance VisiCalc's development amid royalty negotiations.
- VisiCalc was officially launched on October 17, 1979, achieving significant sales success.
- The software's introduction marked a pivotal moment in personal computing, empowering users without programming skills.
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9 commentsAfter the salesperson explained that it was a computer program which ran on an Apple ][, the guy said something to the effect of, "Set me up with what I need.", and the salesperson proceeded to put together pretty much one of everything in the store all of which was then loaded into the Trans Am, and after writing a check, the hopeful accountant drove off.
A while back, when I read the book _Diver's Down: Adventure Beneath Hawaiian Seas_ to my kids I had to explain what slide rules and adding machines and ledger sheets were --- it's really remarkable how we have finally reached Babbage's exclamation:
>"I wish to God these calculations had been executed by steam."
One of most impressive and sad parts for me. Sad in the sense that nowadays everything is so complicated that you almost never can implement significant pieces of tech just because you need it and competent
One of the guys at work had been making a spreadsheet literally all night and at the end of the night he pressed the keys to exit Multiplan and it simply exited as it was told and he lost all his work - back then programs hadn't advanced to the point of asking "save before exit y/n?".
I seem to recall Dan Bricklin having a pretty good attitude about it - I think he's here on HN he might chime in.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_1-2-3
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quattro_Pro
( When version 1.0 was in development, it was codenamed "Buddha" since it was meant to "assume the Lotus position". )
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