SmallTalk Revolution.

Many of the most innovative programming languages ever invented aren't widely used because they're designed for too broad a function, they're designed for too narrow a function, or their underlying syntax is unreadable (witness (LISP(Scheme))). One such language is Smalltalk, whose usage is limited outside a university environment not as widespread as, say Java, C++ or Perl. Still, this didn't stop Smalltalk from creating a paradigm revolution in the way that programmers think, by being the first of the Object Oriented Programming languages (The most common of which is C++).

Now, a descendant and close relative of an implementation of Smalltalk, known as Squeak, is quietly making itself known in wider circles. As a part of Croquet, Squeak is poised to become the language upon which the internet will eventually run. Squeak is also apparently going to be the language implementation of choice for users of laptops provided by project OLPC. I think I'd better start brushing up on Smalltalk and Squeak. It will almost certainly prove useful.

Update: Some changes made here. Thanks to Ramon Leon for the clarification.