Tim Rowledge, a dedicated community member and long-time contributor, has uncovered a fantastic resource for tech enthusiasts: a comprehensive archive of BYTE magazine issues hosted on World Radio History. This well-organized collection spans from 1975 to 1994 and offers a detailed look at the technological advancements of the time, including the early development of Smalltalk. You can explore the archive here.
Among the highlights is the August 1981 edition, famous for featuring the iconic Smalltalk balloon on its cover. This issue is notable for introducing Smalltalk’s unofficial logo. Curious about the significance of the hot air balloon and what it represents? Delve into this intriguing piece of history on the Squeak wiki. You can access the 1981 edition here.
Also of interest is the August 1991 issue, which includes the article “Smalltalk: 10 Years of Objects.” This piece provides a retrospective and a forward-looking view on Smalltalk, reflecting on its progress since the 1981 feature. You can view this edition here.
World Radio History’s BYTE magazine archive is a valuable tool for anyone interested in the history of computing and programming languages, offering both a broad overview and specific insights into the technology of the past.
Additionally, Tim also found some other nice historical videos presented by Capt. Grace Hooper at NSA in 1982 on “Future Possibilities: Data, Hardware, Software, and People.” You may find some fascinating bits of history from her lectures. You can view part 1 here and part 2 here.
The BYTE archive, along with these historical videos, offers a unique perspective on how early technologies and visionary ideas have shaped modern computing. Together, they provide an invaluable window into the technological advancements and influential figures that have defined the computing landscape.
