Collecting the History of the Software Industry

According to Software Magazine, the top 500 companies in the computer software and services industry generated $640 billion dollars in revenue in 2012 and employed more than 4.1 million people who design, program, maintain, sell, or support computer software and services. Responding to the significance of the industry in 2000 and anticipating its continued growth, the Annals Editorial Board made a decision at that time that it should give greater emphasis to articles on the history of both the technological advances made in software and the companies and people who had built and were continuing to grow this vital industry. Despite these ongoing efforts, the authors are still concerned about providing an ongoing supply of the personal recollections and company records that are critical source materials needed to develop an historical analysis. It is necessary to encourage historians and practitioners to not only continue but to expand the process of collecting, preserving, and publishing the history of the software industry as it continues to morph and evolve during the 21st century.