**Ward Christensen: The Modest Innovator Who Launched Online Culture**
On Friday, Ward Christensen, co-creator of the computer bulletin board system (BBS), passed away at the age of 78 in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Together with Randy Suess, he developed the first BBS in 1978, a groundbreaking innovation that provided the groundwork for the digital communities that would eventually transition into the contemporary internet. His efforts ignited a cultural transformation, motivating countless hobbyist groups and establishing the framework for the online landscape we are familiar with today.
### A Unassuming Trailblazer
Despite his significant impact on technology, Christensen remained modest throughout his lifetime. He never pursued the limelight, concentrating instead on his extensive career at IBM, where he worked from 1968 until his retirement in 2012. Friends and acquaintances remember him as a gentle and unobtrusive presence, pleased with his accomplishments but never self-important.
Jason Scott, the creator of *BBS: The Documentary*, which thoroughly explored Christensen’s contributions, referred to him as “the quietest, most pleasant, gentlest guy.” Scott, who interviewed Christensen in 2002, observed that despite his crucial part in shaping the digital era, Christensen was more akin to “a groundskeeper who quietly maintains the yard” than a tech entrepreneur chasing notoriety.
The announcement of Christensen’s passing was initially made by tech veteran Lauren Weinstein on social media, and a close friend confirmed that he died peacefully at his residence. The specifics of his cause of death have not been released to the public.
### The Genesis of BBS and XMODEM
Prior to inventing the first BBS, Christensen created XMODEM in 1977, a file transfer protocol that became essential for the BBS network. XMODEM facilitated the division of files into packets for transmission over analog phone lines, ensuring dependable delivery even amid noisy and unstable connections. This groundbreaking work enabled users to share files and communicate long before the internet became prevalent.
The concept for the first BBS emerged during the *Great Blizzard of 1978*, when Christensen and Suess, members of the Chicago Area Computer Hobbyists’ Exchange (CACHE), were unable to attend their regular computer club meetings because of the snowstorm. They sought a method to keep in touch with fellow members despite physical limitations. Suess developed the hardware while Christensen programmed the software, which they named *CBBS* (Computerized Bulletin Board System).
In just two weeks, the duo completed the first BBS, although they humorously told others it took four weeks to avoid the perception of haste. The system became operational on February 16, 1978, allowing users with modems to dial in, leave messages, and converse with others. It served as a digital counterpart to the physical bulletin boards typically found in grocery stores and community centers.
### The Expansion of BBS Culture
Christensen and Suess did not keep their invention to themselves. They freely disseminated the idea of the BBS, prompting others to develop their own versions of BBS software. As these systems advanced in complexity, they enabled users not just to leave messages but also to transfer files and engage in gaming. BBSes emerged as a central hub for early online communities, introducing many home computer users to the world of multiplayer gaming, message boards, and digital socialization.
The BBS movement also fostered the shareware gaming phenomenon, which would eventually lead to the establishment of companies like Epic Games, the creators of *Fortnite*. In numerous ways, BBSes served as the antecedent to the modern internet, creating a platform for community-building and content sharing well before the World Wide Web became mainstream.
### A Timeless Impact
Randy Suess passed away in 2019, and with Christensen’s death, the era of the original BBS pioneers has concluded. Nevertheless, their impact endures. While most BBSes have transitioned to internet-based platforms, a few still exist today, often accessed through the internet rather than dial-up connections.
Christensen’s contributions were recognized during his lifetime. In 1992, he received two Dvorak Awards, including a lifetime achievement accolade for his work in PC telecommunications. The following year, the Electronic Frontier Foundation presented him with the Pioneer Award, acknowledging his influence in shaping the digital domain.
Despite these honors, Christensen remained unpretentious. In his later years, he continued to participate in online communities, often without spotlighting his role in devising the technology that enabled much of it. Jason Scott, who closely tracked Christensen’s contributions, was continually struck by his humility. “It would be like a person who was in a high school band saying, ‘Eh, never really got into touring, never really had the urge to record albums or become a rock star,'” Scott remarked. “And then later people come and go, ‘Oh, you made the first [whatever] in your high school band.'”
### The Essence of Giving
Arguably, Christensen’s most significant legacy is his spirit
