Ward Christensen, the co-creator of the world’s first computerized Bulletin Board System (BBS) and a pioneer in personal computing, has passed away at the age of 78. His groundbreaking work alongside Randy Suess in 1978 laid the foundation for modern online communication, connecting early computer hobbyists in ways that would predate the internet by decades. This Ward Christensen obituary highlights his indelible mark on computer history.
Christensen’s journey began in the late 1970s during a historic Chicago blizzard, when he and Suess developed the software for the Chicago Area Computer Hobbyists’ Exchange (CACHE).
Their creation, known as the Computerized Bulletin Board System (CBBS), went live on February 16, 1978. It was a simple concept—users could connect via dial-up, upload, and download files, and exchange messages. The system acted as a virtual corkboard, where hobbyists could share information and ideas in an era long before the World Wide Web. Christensen’s role as a PC bulletin board pioneer is widely celebrated in computer history.
Additionally, Christensen’s contributions to file transfer protocols cannot be overlooked. He developed the XMODEM protocol in 1977, which allowed computers to exchange files, setting the stage for many future innovations in file-sharing technology. His influence extended far beyond BBS, with the XMODEM protocol becoming a significant tool for early PC users.
Industry experts have compared Christensen’s innovations to similar milestones in communication technology. Before the World Wide Web, BBS systems, like Christensen’s CBBS, were the backbone of early online communities. His contributions to the personal computing revolution were pivotal in democratizing access to digital communication, inspiring future generations of developers and hobbyists.
