C.1. History

Developed primarily by Cleve Moler in the 1970’s.

MATLAB was primarily developed by a mathematician named Cleve Moler during the 1970s. This initial development laid the groundwork for what would become a powerful tool in numerical computing and simulation. Cleve Moler aimed to create an interactive environment that would make it easier for users to perform mathematical calculations.

Think of Cleve Moler as a chef in a kitchen trying to create a new dish. He experimented with different ingredients (mathematical concepts) to develop a unique recipe (MATLAB) that would be more accessible for people who want to cook (perform calculations).

Derived from FORTRAN subroutines LINPACK and EISPACK, linear and eigenvalue systems.

MATLAB was built on foundational subroutines that were originally written in the FORTRAN programming language. These subroutines, LINPACK and EISPACK, were designed to solve linear algebra problems and eigenvalue computations. By leveraging these powerful tools, MATLAB could provide efficient solutions for complex mathematical tasks.

Imagine building a modern smartphone using technology and concepts from older devices. Just like MATLAB used established methods (LINPACK and EISPACK) to solve mathematical problems, the smartphone benefits from previous innovations in telecommunications and computing.

Gained its popularity through word of mouth, because it was not officially distributed.

During its early days, MATLAB did not have formal distribution channels. Instead, it became popular among users through personal recommendations and experiences shared among peers. This organic growth indicated a strong community interest and a need for user-friendly mathematical computing tools.

Think of a new restaurant that doesn’t do much advertising but becomes popular because customers tell their friends about the delicious food. Just like that restaurant, MATLAB gained traction purely based on user satisfaction and the effectiveness of its offerings.

Rewritten in C in the 1980’s with more functionality, which include plotting routines.

In the 1980s, MATLAB underwent significant enhancements when it was rewritten in the C programming language. This transition allowed for the integration of more advanced functionalities, such as dynamic plotting routines that could visually represent data. These improvements made MATLAB a more robust tool for researchers and engineers.

Consider upgrading a bike from basic features to advanced technology. After the upgrade, it can not only provide better performance but also include features like GPS tracking. Similarly, MATLAB grew more powerful and user-friendly with its enhancements in the 1980s.

The MathWorks Inc. was created (1984) to market and continue development of MATLAB.

In 1984, The MathWorks Inc. was founded to focus on the marketing and further development of MATLAB. This establishment indicated a formal recognition of MATLAB’s potential in the academic and engineering communities, allowing it to gain professional support and resources for continuous improvement.

It's like a garage band that gains popularity and then decides to form a record label to professionally produce their music. The formation of The MathWorks provided MATLAB with a strong platform to reach a larger audience and develop new features more effectively.

According to Cleve Moler, three other men played important roles in the origins of MATLAB: J. H. Wilkinson, George Forsythe, and John Todd.

Cleve Moler acknowledged that besides himself, three key figures contributed to the fundamental ideas and development of MATLAB. J. H. Wilkinson, George Forsythe, and John Todd made significant contributions that shaped how MATLAB would evolve as a tool for numerical computing.

Think of a great movie that was created not just by the director but also by a talented cast and crew. Just like that movie, MATLAB's success is attributed to the collaborative efforts of several visionaries who played vital roles in its creation.

Since then another package emerged: LAPACK. LAPACK stands for Linear Algebra Package. It has been designed to supersede LINPACK and EISPACK.

LAPACK (Linear Algebra Package) was developed as a more advanced alternative to LINPACK and EISPACK, providing enhanced capabilities in handling complex mathematical operations. This evolution represents the ongoing advancement in computational efficiency and effectiveness within linear algebra applications, further expanding MATLAB’s functionality.

Just as technology constantly updates to keep up with new demands, such as smartphones evolving with better cameras and processing power, LAPACK represents the next generation of tools that expand what users can achieve with MATLAB in mathematics.

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