This month marks 29 years since the birth of Squeak Smalltalk. That is nearly three decades of exploration, invention, and collaboration – all made possible by the ambition and generosity of those who have shaped Squeak over the years.
On this occasion, it is fitting to pause and give thanks:
- To those who, in the early years, had the vision and energy to create something enduring.
- To those who continue to share insights and encouragement, answer questions, and work to resolve difficult issues on the mailing lists, sustaining collaboration and shared purpose.
- To the programmers who work tirelessly on the system and the virtual machine, ensuring that Squeak remains robust, modern, and ready for the challenges ahead.
- To the maintainers who incorporate patches and merges, smoothing the flow of progress and keeping the platform healthy.
- To the unsung heroes who support the infrastructure, making sure our tools and resources are available and reliable.
- To the academic community at large who continues to explore, teach, and contribute to Squeak.
- To those who provide financial support, helping sustain the project and its infrastructure.
- And to everyone else not mentioned in this brief list.
Each contribution, whether large or small, has helped Squeak remain vibrant and resilient – a system that is both a playground for ideas and a platform for serious development.
As we look forward to the next year, let this anniversary be a moment of encouragement. There is always more to explore, more to refine, and more to create together. Your help makes a difference and keeps Squeak a programming system that is a joy to use, where everything is available to see, understand, modify, and extend for any purpose. With 30 just around the corner, now is a good time to reflect that you make a difference, and that Squeak would not continue without the efforts of its community.
Here’s to another year of invention, collaboration, and joy with Smalltalk and Squeaking!
The Weekly Squeak 
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