Wes Fenlon, writing for PC Gamer:
Did Windows 3.1 really ship with a garish color scheme that was
dared into being? That was a story I needed to hear, so I went
digging for the credits of the Microsoft employees who worked on
the user interface back then and found my way to Virginia
Howlett, who joined Microsoft in 1985 as the company’s
first interface designer, and worked there up through the launch
of Windows 95.
Howlett:
I have been mystified about why that particular theme causes so
much comment in the media. Maybe it’s partly the catchy name.
(Never underestimate the power of a good brand name!)I do remember some discussion about whether we should include it,
and some snarky laughter. But it was not intended as a joke. It
was not inspired by any hot dog stands, and it was not included as
an example of a bad interface — although it was one. It was just
a garish choice, in case somebody out there liked ugly bright red
and yellow.The ‘Fluorescent’ theme was also pretty ugly, but it didn’t have a
catchy name, so I’ve never heard anything about it.
I remember this color theme, because I had to use Windows 3.1 at a few jobs in the 1990s, and anyone who used it remembers “Hot Dog Stand”. Howlett’s explanation is exactly what I always thought. It wasn’t for accessibility. It wasn’t a dare or a joke. It was something they knew was ugly and they shipped it anyway in case people wanted an ugly UI.
That’s Microsoft.
