History of Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word, first released in 1983 under the name 'Multi-Tool Word,' was developed by Richard
Brodie, a former Xerox programmer working at Microsoft. It was initially created for Xenix and
MS-DOS systems and later became available for IBM PCs. Unlike other word processors at the time,
Microsoft Word introduced WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editing, meaning users could see on
the screen how the final document would look when printed. This feature gave it a competitive edge
and laid the foundation for its success.
Over the years, Microsoft Word evolved significantly
with the release of each new version. In 1989, it was launched for Windows, making it one of the
first applications for the platform. Word became part of the Microsoft Office Suite in the early
1990s, which helped increase its popularity. New features such as spell check, grammar check,
templates, and collaboration tools made it an essential software for professionals, students, and
businesses worldwide.
Today, Microsoft Word is available not only on Windows but also on macOS,
mobile platforms, and the web. Its integration with cloud services like OneDrive allows real-time
collaboration and access to documents from anywhere. With continuous updates and smart features like
voice typing and AI-powered editing suggestions, Microsoft Word remains one of the most widely used
word processors in the world, shaping how we create and edit digital documents.