16 Early Computer Programs That Blew Our Minds
These 16 early computer programs weren’t just innovative; they redefined what technology could do in education, entertainment, business, and communication.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
In the early days of computing, certain programs broke boundaries and reshaped expectations. From simple text games to groundbreaking design tools, these creations amazed users and laid the groundwork for modern software. Their legacy continues to influence how we think, learn, work, and play today.
1. ELIZA (1966)
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ELIZA was one of the first programs to simulate human conversation, mimicking a Rogerian psychotherapist. Using clever pattern matching, it gave the illusion of understanding, often responding with reflective questions. People were shocked by how lifelike it felt, despite its simple code.
2. Oregon Trail (1971)
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Originally developed to teach children about 19th-century pioneer life, The Oregon Trail blended history and decision-making. You had to manage supplies, face disease, and try not to die of dysentery. Its immersive gameplay made classrooms across America feel like the Wild West.
3. Spacewar! (1962)
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Created by MIT students on a PDP-1, Spacewar! was one of the first digital video games. Two players piloted spaceships in a gravity-pulling starfield, trying to shoot each other down. Its fast-paced action amazed early users and inspired the future of arcade gaming.
4. Adventure (Colossal Cave Adventure) (1976)
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This text-based game invited players to explore a vast cave full of treasures, puzzles, and strange creatures. You typed commands like “go north” or “get lamp,” and the program responded with rich descriptions. It laid the foundation for interactive fiction and narrative games.
5. BASIC (1964)
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BASIC made programming accessible to students and hobbyists for the first time. With simple commands and syntax, it allowed people to create their own games, utilities, and experiments. It became the entry point for an entire generation of coders.
6. VisiCalc (1979)
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VisiCalc was the first spreadsheet program and turned the Apple II into a must-have business machine. It replaced tedious paper ledgers with dynamic tables that recalculated automatically. It revolutionized accounting and changed how offices operated forever.
7. Pong (1972)
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Though simple, Pong’s two-dimensional table tennis simulation became wildly addictive. Atari’s arcade version brought gaming into the mainstream, creating long lines in bowling alleys and bars. Its success marked the beginning of the video game industry.
8. Simula (1967)
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Simula introduced the concept of object-oriented programming, which would later dominate software development. Designed for simulations, it grouped data and behavior into “objects” for the first time. This innovative idea influenced major languages like C++, Java, and Python.
9. MUD1 (1978)
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MUD1, or Multi-User Dungeon, was the first online multiplayer game. It combined the mechanics of Adventure with networked interaction, letting players explore and chat in real time. It was the precursor to modern MMORPGs like World of Warcraft.
10. Sketchpad (1963)
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Ivan Sutherland’s Sketchpad was the first graphical user interface and computer-aided design (CAD) tool. Using a light pen, users could draw directly on the screen, manipulate objects, and resize shapes. It paved the way for everything from Photoshop to AutoCAD.
11. MacPaint (1984)
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MacPaint showed off the Macintosh’s graphical capabilities with an easy-to-use paint program. It featured tools like brushes, fills, and stamps, and users could print their art or use it in documents. It made computing feel fun, creative, and personal.
12. Lotus 1-2-3 (1983)
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Lotus 1-2-3 combined spreadsheet, charting, and database functions in one program. It ran blazingly fast on IBM PCs and quickly became the killer app for business. For years, it dominated office software before Microsoft Excel took over.
13. Logo (1967)
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Designed as an educational tool, Logo introduced children to programming with a little triangle called the “turtle.” They could give it commands to draw shapes, learning logic and geometry along the way. It was fun, visual, and surprisingly powerful.
14. WordStar (1978)
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WordStar was one of the earliest word processors and a favorite among writers and journalists. With its keyboard shortcuts and flexible editing tools, it beat out the typewriter for speed and convenience. It was essential software in the early days of personal computing.
15. Zork (1980)
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Zork was a text adventure game full of humor, clever puzzles, and rich storytelling. Players navigated a fantasy world by typing commands like “open mailbox” or “fight troll.” Its influence is still felt in modern interactive fiction and RPGs.
16. HyperCard (1987)
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HyperCard let users create interactive stacks of “cards” that combined text, images, and buttons. It was a precursor to the web and inspired a generation of hypermedia projects. Even a young Steve Jobs saw its potential as revolutionary.