Comment by kmoser

Prodigy (the online service). I'm not saying I wish it was still alive, but it contained some amazing technology for the time (mid- to late 1980s), much of which is now present in web tech:

- Client software that ran a VM which received "objects" from a central server (complete with versioning so it would intelligently download new objects when necessary). Versions were available for IBM (DOS), Windows, and Mac. Think of it as an early browser.

- Multiple access points and large internal network for storing and delivering content nationwide. This was their proprietary CDN.

- Robust programming language (TBOL/PAL) for developing client-side apps which could also interact with the servers. Just like Javascript.

- Vector (NAPLPS) graphics for fast downloading (remember, Prodigy started in the days when modems maxed out at 1200 baud); later they added JPG support.

- Vast array of online services: shopping, banking, nationwide news, BBSes, mail (before Internet email was popular), even airline reservations.

All this was run by a partnership between IBM, Sears, and CBS (the latter dropped out early). They were the Google of the time.