The Proliferation and Consolidation of Word Processing Software: 1985-1995

Authors:
Thomas J. (Tim) Bergin
Affiliations:
American University
Venue:
IEEE Annals of the History of Computing
Year:
2006

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Abstract

Following development of the early word processing software packages--Electric Pencil, EasyWriter, and WordStar--and the IBM PC's arrival, the race among vendors began in earnest to win market share. Of the more than 400 software packages available in the mid-1980s, only a scant few survived. This article tells the story of how word processing software evolved in response to market pressures, new hardware capabilities, user demand, and corporate decision making.