devxlogo

Judging Java Timeline Pre-1995

Judging Java Timeline Pre-1995

Go to:
? 1996
? 1997
? 1998
? 1999
? 2000-2001



= mouseover explanation

= pop-up sidebar
Jan. 15, 1991
Green Project begins.

1991-92
– James Gosling, Mike Sheridan, Patrick Naughton start work on “Oak.”

Gosling creates “Oak” language.

– Oak project officially incorporated as “FirstPerson.”

1993
TV Settop OS sale fails.
April 93
Mosaic browser released.

1993-94
– Oak repurposed as a Web-centric programming language, renamed Java.


– FirstPerson broken up, its projects redistributed to Sun Interactive and LiveOak. Gosling develops browser “Webrunner” (later renamed HotJava) to demonstrate usefulness of Java in Web development.


– Java compiler, originally written in C, rewritten in Java. (Writing the compiler in the same language is a milestone in the development of a new language.)
May 23
Java officially announced at SunWorld Expo 95 by John Gage and Marc Andreessen.



May 27
– JDK 1.0 alpha released. World gets first real look at Java.
September 21
First unofficial “Java Day” event in New York.

October
Gamelan Web site launches.

October 30
Internet World Boston: Major vendors license Java.
November
Second (but the first “official”) Sun Java Day.

November
Sun forms JavaSoft division dedicated to pushing Java.
December 4
Netscape announces JavaScript.

December 6
IBM and Adobe license Java.

December 7
Microsoft licenses Java.
Summary of 1995:
From zero to 60 in 10 months: Java leaps into the public consciousness in 1995 as a dazzling client-side applet-maker, bringing dancing heads and interactivity to Web pages, and fueling visions of running roughshod over Microsoft.
Go to:
? 1996
? 1997
? 1998
? 1999
? 2000-2001


Timeline Introduction
Judging Java Home

pre1995-199519961997199819992000-2001
devxblackblue

About Our Editorial Process

At DevX, we’re dedicated to tech entrepreneurship. Our team closely follows industry shifts, new products, AI breakthroughs, technology trends, and funding announcements. Articles undergo thorough editing to ensure accuracy and clarity, reflecting DevX’s style and supporting entrepreneurs in the tech sphere.

See our full editorial policy.

About Our Journalist