Happy Spreadsheet Day 2019

by Debra · Published October 17, 2019 · Updated October 12, 2019

Happy Spreadsheet Day 2019! This is the 10th year that we’ve celebrated, and it’s the 40th anniversary of the VisiCalc launch, on October 17, 1979. Listen to the creators describe the development process, and see a few tweets that feature VisiCalc.

The Origins and Impact of VisiCalc

To get some fascinating insights into the development of VisiCalc, watch this video, recorded by the Computer History Museum, on April 8, 2003. The topic is “The Origins and Impact of VisiCalc”, with panelists Dan Bricklin, Bob Frankston, and Mitch Kapor, and moderated by Charles Simonyi.

The panel discussion starts about the 7:45 mark, and ends about 1:15:00, followed by audience questions. You might have heard some of the stories before, but I’m sure you’ll hear a few new things too. Even the audience members have some fun facts to share! And remember, “If you can’t do it over the weekend, it’s too complicated.”

Around the 1:12:30 mark, Dan Bricklin makes a comment that you’ll relate to, if you do any development – “Seeing what was in, and what we threw out – that’s the hardthing.”

Note: I can’t find a transcript for the video, but Bob Frankston posted his preparation notes for the panel discussion.

New Look or Old Look

If you saw the VisiCalc screen shots in the video above, you’ll understand why Steven Sinofsky question this “What’s New in Excel” screen shot, which announced Dark Mode as a “new look”.

This just isn’t right. pic.twitter.com/N5qqZO63Ty

— Steven Sinofsky (@stevesi) October 5, 2019

VisiCalc co-creator, Dan Bricklin, replied, and posted this photo, showing VisiCalc in Dark Mode, 40 years ago.

Here’s the earliest VisiCalc photo I have pic.twitter.com/kQXeVnB350

— Dan Bricklin (@DanB) October 5, 2019

And here’s a photo from Charles Oppermann, showing VisiCalc in a striking shade of orange!

I loved VisiCalc on the Compaq gas-plasma displays. The shades of orange made the mid-80s look like the 70s pic.twitter.com/qKEsDjU3kK

— Charles Oppermann (@ChuckOp) October 5, 2019

Four Centuries of Innovation

There’s not much online information about this exhibit, but VisiCalc is prominently featured in an exhibit at Logan Airport – Four Centuries of Innovation: From Massachusetts to the World. There’s a brief outline in the introduction of this PDF file on the Massport website. It says that the exhibit “showcases breakthroughs in medicine, technology, education, finance and social change.’

Here’s another tweet from Dan Bricklin, when he visited the exhibit.

Yes, I’ve seen the VisiCalc plaque near Logan Airport gate C9. The whole 4 Centuries of Innovation exhibit is amazing and I’m honored that VisiCalc is included. pic.twitter.com/DC4udm6PcZ

— Dan Bricklin (@DanB) June 12, 2019

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