https://news.wosu.org/2023-12-21/ohio-gives-historical-status-to-building-that-once-housed-internet-service-pioneer-compuserve * [ ]Search Query Show Search * 89.7 NPR News + Business & Economy + Education + Ohio News + Coronavirus + Curious Cbus + Health, Science & Environment + NPR News + Politics & Government + Sports + Business & Economy + Education + Ohio News + Coronavirus + Curious Cbus + Health, Science & Environment + NPR News + Politics & Government + Sports * Classical 101 + Classical 101 Blog + Classical 101 Playlist & Program Schedule + Classical 101 Podcasts + Classical 101 Blog + Classical 101 Playlist & Program Schedule + Classical 101 Podcasts * Programs & Podcasts + 89.7 NPR News Schedule + All Programs + All Sides with Anna Staver + Snollygoster + The Power Grab + Small Joys with Hanif Abdurraqib + StoryCorps COLUMBUS + Bluegrass Ramble + 89.7 NPR News Schedule + All Programs + All Sides with Anna Staver + Snollygoster + The Power Grab + Small Joys with Hanif Abdurraqib + StoryCorps COLUMBUS + Bluegrass Ramble * WOSU TV + WOSU TV Schedules + WOSU Livestream + Watch On-Demand + WOSU Kid's Livestream + WOSU Passport + Broad & High + Columbus On The Record + Columbus Neighborhoods + QED with Dr. B + WOSU TV Schedules + WOSU Livestream + Watch On-Demand + WOSU Kid's Livestream + WOSU Passport + Broad & High + Columbus On The Record + Columbus Neighborhoods + QED with Dr. B * Classroom + Family Resources + Early Childhood & PreK Educators + K-12 Educators + Learning Resources + Second Saturday Kids Days + Digital Wellness + Drawing With Mr. J + Family Resources + Early Childhood & PreK Educators + K-12 Educators + Learning Resources + Second Saturday Kids Days + Digital Wellness + Drawing With Mr. J * Support + Leadership Giving + Planned Giving + Program Support + Vehicle Donation + Leadership Giving + Planned Giving + Program Support + Vehicle Donation * WOSU Public Media + WOSU Public Media Mobile App + About WOSU + WOSU Regional Network + Staff + Editorial Integrity + Diversity + Shop + Contact Us + WOSU Public Media Mobile App + About WOSU + WOSU Regional Network + Staff + Editorial Integrity + Diversity + Shop + Contact Us (c) 2023 WOSU Public Media Menu * Show Search [ ]Search Query Donate Play Live Radio Next Up: 0:00 0:00 0:00 0:00 Available On Air Stations * On Air Now Playing 89.7 NPR News * On Air Now Playing Classical 101 All Streams * 89.7 NPR News + Business & Economy + Education + Ohio News + Coronavirus + Curious Cbus + Health, Science & Environment + NPR News + Politics & Government + Sports + Business & Economy + Education + Ohio News + Coronavirus + Curious Cbus + Health, Science & Environment + NPR News + Politics & Government + Sports * Classical 101 + Classical 101 Blog + Classical 101 Playlist & Program Schedule + Classical 101 Podcasts + Classical 101 Blog + Classical 101 Playlist & Program Schedule + Classical 101 Podcasts * Programs & Podcasts + 89.7 NPR News Schedule + All Programs + All Sides with Anna Staver + Snollygoster + The Power Grab + Small Joys with Hanif Abdurraqib + StoryCorps COLUMBUS + Bluegrass Ramble + 89.7 NPR News Schedule + All Programs + All Sides with Anna Staver + Snollygoster + The Power Grab + Small Joys with Hanif Abdurraqib + StoryCorps COLUMBUS + Bluegrass Ramble * WOSU TV + WOSU TV Schedules + WOSU Livestream + Watch On-Demand + WOSU Kid's Livestream + WOSU Passport + Broad & High + Columbus On The Record + Columbus Neighborhoods + QED with Dr. B + WOSU TV Schedules + WOSU Livestream + Watch On-Demand + WOSU Kid's Livestream + WOSU Passport + Broad & High + Columbus On The Record + Columbus Neighborhoods + QED with Dr. B * Classroom + Family Resources + Early Childhood & PreK Educators + K-12 Educators + Learning Resources + Second Saturday Kids Days + Digital Wellness + Drawing With Mr. J + Family Resources + Early Childhood & PreK Educators + K-12 Educators + Learning Resources + Second Saturday Kids Days + Digital Wellness + Drawing With Mr. J * Support + Leadership Giving + Planned Giving + Program Support + Vehicle Donation + Leadership Giving + Planned Giving + Program Support + Vehicle Donation * WOSU Public Media + WOSU Public Media Mobile App + About WOSU + WOSU Regional Network + Staff + Editorial Integrity + Diversity + Shop + Contact Us + WOSU Public Media Mobile App + About WOSU + WOSU Regional Network + Staff + Editorial Integrity + Diversity + Shop + Contact Us Business & Economy Ohio gives historical status to building that once housed internet service pioneer CompuServe WOSU 89.7 NPR News | By The Associated Press Published December 21, 2023 at 3:37 PM EST * Facebook * Twitter * LinkedIn * Email The corporate headquarters of CompuServe, one of the major early providers of access to the internet for home-computer users, was located on Henderson Road in Upper Arlington. David E. Lucas / Columbus Metropolitan Library, Columbus Dispatch The corporate headquarters of CompuServe, one of the major early providers of access to the internet for home-computer users, was located on Henderson Road in Upper Arlington. A central Ohio building that once served as the global headquarters for CompuServe has been recognized with historic marker status by the state. At its height in the 1990's, the pioneering tech company -- one of the first to offer commercial internet services -- was known by the public for online forums that offered news, message boards and data file transfers. The firm also introduced the GIF image format back in 1987. "This may be the first historical marker about the internet. Most history is not recognized and celebrated in your lifetime, but this is and its really special," said Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted at a dedication event featuring state officials and former CompuServe CEO Jeff Wilkins. "Today we have a vibrant, growing tech economy in the state of Ohio. And it began right here." The company opened its headquarters in 1973 and, according to records housed at the Columbus Metropolitan Library, closed the location in the summer of 2006. Ohio's historical markers program, started in the 1953, commemorates unique sites that shape state history. Wilkins, who co-founded CompuServe in 1969, also attempted settle a classic internet argument over the pronunciation of the GIF image format at the dedication. He recalled a story about how Steve Wilhite, the engineer who helped create the format, once held up a sign at an awards ceremony read: "It's pronounced JIF." 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