Node.js: The Documentary | An origin story

A feature-length documentary exploring the creation of Node.js by Ryan Dahl, the npm ecosystem, and the corporate conflicts that led to the io.js fork.

Back in 2008, most people thought of JavaScript as just a client-side language. But when Google's V8 appeared, young developer Ryan Dahl made the connection between non-blocking servers, V8, and JavaScript. It was by combining these key elements that he was able to create the now hugely popular Node.js. What young Ryan Dahl probably didn't expect was how much forking drama would follow. Join us as we delve into the origins of Node.js, meet some of its earliest contributors and explore the complicated dynamics between corporations using open source technologies and the dedicated community members who fuel their progress. Featuring interviews with Ryan Dahl (creator of Node.js), Isaac Schlueter (creator of npm) and more. Check out the home for untold developer stories around open source, careers and all the other cool stuff developers are doing at cult.honeypot.io. Honeypot is a developer-focused job platform, on a mission to get developers great jobs. Wanna see what we're all about? Visit honeypot.io to find a job you love. To learn more about Honeypot: bit.ly/3TH1PEe Follow the cast: Bert Belder: twitter.com/piscisaureus Isaac Schlueter: twitter.com/izs Mikeal Rogers: twitter.com/mikeal Myles Borins: twitter.com/MylesBorins Ryan Dahl: tinyclouds.org/ Scott Hammond: twitter.com/Scott_Hammond Follow us: Twitter/X: x.com/CultRepo BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/cultrepo.bsky.social Instagram: instagram.com/cult.repo/ Website: cultrepo.com/ 00:00-04:50 Ryan Dahl and the beginning of Node.js 04:50-09:44 Isaac Schlueter and the creation of npm 09:44-13:10 Node.js getting traction 13:10-14:27 Maintaining projects in 2009 14:27-17:38 Corporate sponsorship and growth 17:38-18:45 Bert Belder's DB migration 18:45-22:37 First phase at Joyent 22:37-25:00 Joyent buying Node.js trademarks 25:00-29:58 Node.js working on Windows, libuv 29:58-34:11 Ryan leaving, Isaac takes over 34:11-36:23 Myles Borins' art project 36:23-39:42 Changes in the team 39:42-49:40 Releases slowing down and Node Forward 49:49-53:32 io.js fork 53:32-59:20 Mending the fork and Foundation 59:20-1:00:40 Afterthoughts 1:00:40-01:02:07 Ryan Dahl and the impact of Node.js 01:02:07-01:02:48 Credits