© 2003 William H. Chriss

A Brief History of Bulletin Board Systems (BBS)

© 2003 William H. Chriss

In the Beginning

• March 1876 Alexander G. Bell patents the telephoneMarch 1876 Alexander G. Bell patents the telephone• March 1891 Strowger begins development of the automatic March 1891 Strowger begins development of the automatic

telephone switching systemtelephone switching system• September 1940 George Stibitz demonstrates “remote September 1940 George Stibitz demonstrates “remote

computing” between a teleprinter in New Hampshire and a computing” between a teleprinter in New Hampshire and a digital "Complex Number Calculator“ in New Yorkdigital "Complex Number Calculator“ in New York

• October 1947: 86 Area Codes established for North AmericaOctober 1947: 86 Area Codes established for North America• 1962: First commercially available 300 baud modem (Bell 103)1962: First commercially available 300 baud modem (Bell 103)• June 1968: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) June 1968: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

hands down the Caterphone Decision, which opens up AT&T’s hands down the Caterphone Decision, which opens up AT&T’s network to equipment manufactured and approved by non-network to equipment manufactured and approved by non-AT&T companiesAT&T companies

• And then came …. And then came ….

© 2003 William H. Chriss

1975

• January: Popular ElectronicsJanuary: Popular Electronics

• June: The Chicago Area June: The Chicago Area Computer Hobbyist Computer Hobbyist Exchange (CACHE) is Exchange (CACHE) is formed at Northwestern formed at Northwestern UniversityUniversity– Early members included Early members included

founders of the Chicago BBSfounders of the Chicago BBS

© 2003 William H. Chriss

1977

• April: Dennis C. Hayes begins selling personal computer April: Dennis C. Hayes begins selling personal computer modem products to computer hobbyists. Initially, the modem products to computer hobbyists. Initially, the modems are boards for the S-100 bus, and later for the modems are boards for the S-100 bus, and later for the Apple II.Apple II.

• June: The Apple II computer begins selling to the public in June: The Apple II computer begins selling to the public in North America.North America.

• August: Ward Christensen writes MODEM.ASM, which August: Ward Christensen writes MODEM.ASM, which with input from many other CP/M users becomes with input from many other CP/M users becomes XMODEM, the first binary file transfer protocol.XMODEM, the first binary file transfer protocol.

• August 3: Tandy sells the first TRS-80 Computer August 3: Tandy sells the first TRS-80 Computer

© 2003 William H. Chriss

The 1978 Chicago Snowstorm

• January: Snowed in, Ward Christensen begins preliminary January: Snowed in, Ward Christensen begins preliminary work on what would eventually become CBBS (Computer work on what would eventually become CBBS (Computer Bulletin Board System), the first Bulletin Board System.Bulletin Board System), the first Bulletin Board System.

• February: "Observed" first day of operation of CBBS. February: "Observed" first day of operation of CBBS.

© 2003 William H. Chriss

A BBS

User(s) BBS

© 2003 William H. Chriss

BBS’s Over Time

© 2003 William H. Chriss

1979-1980

• Numerous computer introductionsNumerous computer introductions• May, 1979: Radio Shack begins selling the Tandy TRS-80 May, 1979: Radio Shack begins selling the Tandy TRS-80

Model II. Model II. • June, 1979: Texas Instruments introduces the TI-99/4 computerJune, 1979: Texas Instruments introduces the TI-99/4 computer• November, 1979: The first actual production Atari 400 home November, 1979: The first actual production Atari 400 home

computers are shipped to Sears.computers are shipped to Sears.• February, 1980: The ZX80 microcomputer is introduced by February, 1980: The ZX80 microcomputer is introduced by

Sinclair. Sinclair. • June, 1980: Commodore Business Machines introduces the June, 1980: Commodore Business Machines introduces the

VIC-20 VIC-20 • July, 1980: Radio Shack introduces the Tandy TRS-80 Model July, 1980: Radio Shack introduces the Tandy TRS-80 Model

III and the Color ComputerIII and the Color Computer

© 2003 William H. Chriss

The Early 80’s

• Software, computers and a modemSoftware, computers and a modem• January 1981: The Kermit Project begins, a program to create a transparent January 1981: The Kermit Project begins, a program to create a transparent

and flexible file transfer protocol, and flexible file transfer protocol, • April 1981: Adam Osborne unveils the Osborne 1 portable computer.April 1981: Adam Osborne unveils the Osborne 1 portable computer.• June 1981: Hayes Corporation releases the Hayes Smartmodem 300, which June 1981: Hayes Corporation releases the Hayes Smartmodem 300, which

introduces the AT Command Set for Modemsintroduces the AT Command Set for Modems• June 1981: The Chicago Syslink BBS is started on a TRS-80 Model I with June 1981: The Chicago Syslink BBS is started on a TRS-80 Model I with

300bps Modem.300bps Modem.• August 1981: The Original IBM PC is introduced. August 1981: The Original IBM PC is introduced. • December 1981:Citadel BBS software written for the Heath H89.December 1981:Citadel BBS software written for the Heath H89.• March 1982: Commodore introduces the VICModem for the VIC-20 March 1982: Commodore introduces the VICModem for the VIC-20

computercomputer• June 1982: Commodore announces the Commodore 64 home computer.June 1982: Commodore announces the Commodore 64 home computer.

© 2003 William H. Chriss

The Mid 80’s

• Hackers and gamersHackers and gamers• September 1983: Neal Patrick of the 414s testifies to the US Congress September 1983: Neal Patrick of the 414s testifies to the US Congress

about the ease of computer break-ins and how to stop them.about the ease of computer break-ins and how to stop them.• December 1983: The RIPCO BBS is founded running on an Apple II.December 1983: The RIPCO BBS is founded running on an Apple II.• 1984: John E. Dell writes a DOS program called "Drug Wars" which 1984: John E. Dell writes a DOS program called "Drug Wars" which

allows players to engage in complicated trading and economic role-allows players to engage in complicated trading and economic role-playing. The program is the basis for an entire genre of BBS playing. The program is the basis for an entire genre of BBS programs, including "Dopewars" and "Pimpwars".programs, including "Dopewars" and "Pimpwars".

• January 1984: Hacker BBS "Plover-NET" is first put up by Quasi January 1984: Hacker BBS "Plover-NET" is first put up by Quasi Moto and Lex Luthor, running GBBS on an Apple II+. Moto and Lex Luthor, running GBBS on an Apple II+.

• May 1984: Thomas G. Tcimpidis, Sysop of the MOG-UR BBS, has May 1984: Thomas G. Tcimpidis, Sysop of the MOG-UR BBS, has his personal computer and data storage seized by the Los Angeles his personal computer and data storage seized by the Los Angeles Police when Pacific Tel determines that one of his message bases Police when Pacific Tel determines that one of his message bases contains a stolen Calling Card number.contains a stolen Calling Card number.

© 2003 William H. Chriss

More Mid 80’s

• Connecting BBS together, hackers, and a news feedConnecting BBS together, hackers, and a news feed• June 1984: FidoNet BBS Network appears linking several dozen BBSes via June 1984: FidoNet BBS Network appears linking several dozen BBSes via

late-night phone calls.late-night phone calls.• November 1984: Richard Sandza's articles on Hacker BBSes, "The Night of November 1984: Richard Sandza's articles on Hacker BBSes, "The Night of

the Hackers", appears in Newsweek Magazine.the Hackers", appears in Newsweek Magazine.• December 1984: Fidonet achieves 336 nodesDecember 1984: Fidonet achieves 336 nodes• June 1985: FidoNet switches over from its previous node numbering system June 1985: FidoNet switches over from its previous node numbering system

to "Regional Nets", where areas of the country (and later the world) are to "Regional Nets", where areas of the country (and later the world) are assigned as "regions", controlled by a "region coordinator" assigned as "regions", controlled by a "region coordinator"

• July 1985: Fidonet BBS Sysop Bob Hartman announces that he has recieved July 1985: Fidonet BBS Sysop Bob Hartman announces that he has recieved permission from his company to hook his FidoNet BBS to their USENET permission from his company to hook his FidoNet BBS to their USENET Newsfeed, allowing the Fidonet Network to read and post on Usenet. Newsfeed, allowing the Fidonet Network to read and post on Usenet.

• September 1985: The Zeta BBS in Australia joins Fidonet. Running on a September 1985: The Zeta BBS in Australia joins Fidonet. Running on a TRS-80, it is the first non-IBM node to join Fidonet.TRS-80, it is the first non-IBM node to join Fidonet.

© 2003 William H. Chriss

Simplified Regional FidoNet

© 2003 William H. Chriss

The Late 80’s

• Gamers, hackers, Boardwatch, softwareGamers, hackers, Boardwatch, software• November 1985: QuantumLink (Q-Link), an online service for games and November 1985: QuantumLink (Q-Link), an online service for games and

programs on Commodore 64 and 128 computers, begins operation. programs on Commodore 64 and 128 computers, begins operation. • February 1986: The "Phoenix Fortress" a “sting” BBS issues warrants for the February 1986: The "Phoenix Fortress" a “sting” BBS issues warrants for the

arrest and confiscation of the equpment of 7 local users in Fremont, CA. arrest and confiscation of the equpment of 7 local users in Fremont, CA. • March 1987: Jack Rickard founds Boardwatch Magazine, a publication March 1987: Jack Rickard founds Boardwatch Magazine, a publication

dedicated to BBS issues and events. The magazine lasts over ten years before dedicated to BBS issues and events. The magazine lasts over ten years before converting completely to an internet magazine.converting completely to an internet magazine.

• May 1987: The "Rusty n' Edie's" BBS starts operation in Youngstown, Ohio. May 1987: The "Rusty n' Edie's" BBS starts operation in Youngstown, Ohio. The system grows from a single line to over a hundred lines (and computer The system grows from a single line to over a hundred lines (and computer systems). In 1993, the system is busted by the FBI for piracy, and Rusty is systems). In 1993, the system is busted by the FBI for piracy, and Rusty is later pulled into a landmark case for having scanned Playboy photos later pulled into a landmark case for having scanned Playboy photos available on the BBS (1997).available on the BBS (1997).

• October 1988: Chuck Forsberg releases his specification for ZMODEM, a October 1988: Chuck Forsberg releases his specification for ZMODEM, a file transfer protocol to supersede both XMODEM and his own YMODEM.file transfer protocol to supersede both XMODEM and his own YMODEM.

© 2003 William H. Chriss

The Early 90’s

• The transition begins…The transition begins…

• June 1993: The RIPCO BBS officially becomes an ISP, June 1993: The RIPCO BBS officially becomes an ISP, incorporating as Ripco Communications, offering both incorporating as Ripco Communications, offering both free and for-pay accounts, including full Usenet and E-free and for-pay accounts, including full Usenet and E-mail access.mail access.

• October 1994: QuantumLink (Q-Link) announces that it is October 1994: QuantumLink (Q-Link) announces that it is getting out of the Commodore business. Subscribers are getting out of the Commodore business. Subscribers are offered memberships on the now-growing America Online offered memberships on the now-growing America Online service. The goodbye letter is signed by Steve Case.service. The goodbye letter is signed by Steve Case.

© 2003 William H. Chriss

The Late 90’s

• August 1995: ONE BBSCON '95 is held from August 16th August 1995: ONE BBSCON '95 is held from August 16th to the 20th in Tampa, Florida. This is the last "BBSCON" to the 20th in Tampa, Florida. This is the last "BBSCON" held; it is renamed to ISPCON in 1996 to reflect a sea held; it is renamed to ISPCON in 1996 to reflect a sea change from BBSes to the Internet and Internet Service change from BBSes to the Internet and Internet Service Providers.Providers.

• January 1999: Hayes Microcomputer shuts down January 1999: Hayes Microcomputer shuts down operations. Assets of the company are sold to Zoom operations. Assets of the company are sold to Zoom Telephonics on April 7, 1999.Telephonics on April 7, 1999.

• December 1999: Chicago Syslink BBS, sysoped by December 1999: Chicago Syslink BBS, sysoped by George Matyaszek, closes after nearly 20 years of service.George Matyaszek, closes after nearly 20 years of service.

© 2003 William H. Chriss

References

BackgroundBackground

www.bbsdocumentary.comwww.bbsdocumentary.com

BBS’s in Area Code 732BBS’s in Area Code 732

http://bbslist.textfiles.com/732/http://bbslist.textfiles.com/732/