The History of Word Processors

Summary

This video explores the history of early word processors, from primitive programs like the Electric Pencil in 1976 to more sophisticated systems like StyloGraph in 1980. The creator examines how these early tools, despite limited memory and functionality, could handle many tasks we take for granted today. Key milestones include WordMaster, WordStar, and the Xerox Alto's Bravo, the first WYSIWYG editor. The video also features a playful comparison of typing and formatting the same page using StyloGraph versus modern Microsoft Word, highlighting the ingenuity and efficiency of early software. It’s a nostalgic dive into the evolution of digital word processing.

Takeaways

• 💾 The earliest word processors, like Electric Pencil (1976), ran on very limited hardware, requiring as little as 8 KB of RAM.
• 📚 Early word processors evolved quickly and could perform most day-to-day text editing tasks by 1980.
• 🖥️ WordStar became the best-selling word processor of the early 1980s and had a lasting influence on later programs.
• ⌨️ Styler Graph, released in 1980, was a highly efficient word processor using just 18 KB of RAM, with modal design and multiple text manipulation options.
• 📝 Early word processors were heavily influenced by predecessors like Electric Pencil, with many commands and design ideas reused.
• 🔠 Styler Graph supported styled text, including bold, underline, and superscript, even without a mouse interface.
• 💡 The Xerox Alto (1974) introduced Bravo, the first WYSIWYG word processor, featuring multiple fonts and formatting options.
• 💰 Software in the early 1980s could be very expensive, with programs costing over $150, often coming with extensive manuals.
• ⚡ Comparing retro and modern software, older programs required far less memory but could still handle complex formatting and text manipulation.
• 🎥 The video demonstrates a friendly comparison of typing and formatting between Styler Graph and Microsoft Word, showing both strengths and limitations.
• 🧩 Early word processors laid the groundwork for modern text editing, blending functionality, memory efficiency, and clever design solutions.

Q & A

What inspired the speaker to think about the oldest word processors?

The speaker was inspired while attending an estate sale, where they purchased various software including a program called 'Word Plus', which led them to reflect on the history of word processors.

What was 'Word Plus' and how was it different from a full word processor?

'Word Plus' was primarily a spell checker and not a complete word processor. Users had to purchase the word processor functionality separately at that time.

What was the cost of 'Word Plus' in 1983 and what did it include?

'Word Plus' cost $150 in 1983 and came on an 8-inch floppy disk along with a 48-page manual.

Which was the first word processor released, according to the video?

The first word processor mentioned was 'Electric Pencil', released in late 1976 for the Altair 8800 and requiring just 8 kilobytes of RAM.

What were some key milestones in early word processors following 'Electric Pencil'?

Key milestones included WordMaster by MicroProse in 1978, WordStar in the early 1980s, AppleWriter and EasyWriter for Apple II in 1978, and Styler Graph in 1980 for the Flex operating system.

What made Styler Graph stand out as a word processor in 1980?

Styler Graph was notable for its modal design, allowing users to switch between modes for inserting text, using escape options, and accessing a supervisor screen. It could handle numerous formatting options like bold, underline, superscript, and controlled page layout, all without a mouse.

What was special about the Xerox Alto's word processor 'Bravo'?

'Bravo', released in 1974 for the Xerox Alto, was one of the earliest word processors and the first WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) text editor, allowing users to see fonts and formatting on the screen as they would appear in print.

How did the speaker compare old word processors with modern ones like Microsoft Word?

The speaker attempted a friendly competition by typing a page using both Styler Graph and Microsoft Word. They found that although Microsoft Word allowed slightly faster typing, Styler Graph made formatting easier and was remarkably capable given its minimal memory requirements.

How much memory did Styler Graph require compared to Microsoft Word?

Styler Graph required only 18 kilobytes of RAM, while Microsoft Word required approximately 4 gigabytes of RAM, illustrating a difference of hundreds of thousands of times more memory for modern software.

Which early word processor was influenced by the Electric Pencil?

Several early word processors were influenced by Electric Pencil, including AppleWriter and EasyWriter for Apple II, which adopted many of its commands and design concepts.

Why was formatting limited in early word processors compared to modern software?

Early word processors were limited by hardware constraints, memory, and lack of advanced display technology, which meant features like font color, complex layouts, and mouse support were not available.

What lesson does the speaker convey about the sophistication of early word processors?

The speaker emphasizes that despite being primitive by today's standards, early word processors quickly became sophisticated, capable of performing most day-to-day text processing tasks efficiently.