"40 Years On, The X Window System Remains Surprisingly Relevant"

The X Window System, which recently turned 40, remains relevant due to its cross-platform compatibility and utility in early computing environments. Developed by Robert W. Scheifler and Jim Gettys at MIT, X was essential for distributed computing and graphical interfaces in the 1980s. Robert Lupton, an astrophysics professor at Princeton, recalls its development and enduring utility in academic and research settings.