The Little-Known History of the Favorites Feature

The "favorites" feature is a staple in many software applications, from web browsers to mobile apps and even smart home devices. However, its origins ...

might not be as widely known as one would expect. In this blog post, we'll explore the little-known history of the favorites feature, tracing its roots back through various platforms and technologies over the years.

1. The Birth of Favorites: Early Computer Systems
2. Pioneering the Favorites Feature: Early Operating Systems
3. Evolution into Web Browsers: The First Favorites Bar
4. The Transition to Modern Favorites: Smartphones and Beyond
5. The Favorites Feature in Modern Tech
6. Conclusion

1.) The Birth of Favorites: Early Computer Systems

The concept of favoriting items can be traced back to early computer systems where users needed a way to quickly access frequently used commands or data. In the 1960s and 70s, when computers were still quite large and expensive, mainframe computers often had keypunch terminals that allowed operators to interact with them using punched cards.

One of the first known examples of favoriting in a computing context is the PLATO system (Programmed Logic for Advanced Transaction Accounting) used at the University of Illinois. PLATO was one of the earliest time-sharing systems, and users could mark programs they frequently ran by punching holes through a card that would then be placed in a drawer marked "favorites."

2.) Pioneering the Favorites Feature: Early Operating Systems

As personal computers began to gain popularity in the late 1970s and early 80s, operating systems started incorporating similar functionality. The VMS (Virtual Memory System) used on Digital Equipment Corporation's VAX/VMS machines allowed users to mark files they frequently accessed with a "star" symbol, which was later adapted as an icon in many graphical user interfaces.

Microsoft Windows introduced the concept of favorites more explicitly when it included a feature called "favorites bars" starting with Windows 3.1. This was essentially a collection of shortcuts to commonly used programs and files that could be accessed quickly from any desktop or window.

3.) Evolution into Web Browsers: The First Favorites Bar

The evolution of the favorites feature is perhaps most closely tied to web browsers, where it took on its most recognizable form. In 1994, Marc Andreesen and Eric Bina created a button for their browser Mosaic that would allow users to bookmark pages they frequently visited. This became known as the "favorites" or "bookmark" feature in many early web browsers.

One of the first major browser wars were fueled by this very feature; Netscape Navigator had an iconic star-shaped icon for bookmarks, while Microsoft Internet Explorer initially used a heart symbol and later switched to a more familiar star.

4.) The Transition to Modern Favorites: Smartphones and Beyond

The mobile revolution saw the favorites feature adapt yet again. On early smartphones like BlackBerrys, users could mark contacts or pages as "favorites" to quickly access them from the home screen or menu. As touch interfaces became standard in smartphones (and later smartwatches), the icons for favorite items evolved into intuitive tap targets that were easy to find and use.

On platforms such as iOS and Android, favorites are often represented by a star icon and can be found across various apps including social media feeds, music players, email clients, and more. They serve not only as shortcuts but also provide context-based suggestions based on your usage patterns.

5.) The Favorites Feature in Modern Tech

Today, the favorites feature is ubiquitous. It's a fundamental part of how we interact with technology, helping us manage our digital lives efficiently. From smartphones to smart home devices like Amazon Echo or Google Home, favorites are often used for quick access to settings, commands, and frequently accessed content.

6.) Conclusion

The history of the favorites feature is a testament to its adaptability and utility across various platforms and technologies. It started with mainframe computers as a way to manage shortcuts, evolved into personal computing with operating systems like Windows and macOS, became a standard in web browsers during the browser wars, and finally adapted for mobile devices where it continues to thrive today.

As we continue to embrace new forms of technology, the favorites feature remains a crucial element that helps us navigate through information overload by providing quick access to what matters most.

The Little-Known History of the Favorites Feature