The history of CD-ROMs has been largely unexplored and underestimated, nevertheless a few exceptions, notably within the realm of video games (Therrien, 2019). However, delving into this history allows to uncover the intricacy of technological and digital advancements, economic issues and new markets, or the evolving landscape of media convergence in the 90s. CD-ROMs also represent a pivotal moment in technological and digital history as a storage media, a gateway to immersive virtual worlds, or to the first Internet connections. Moreover, entire industries developed or diversified around their production, distribution, and consumption. New professions emerged, from CD-ROM mastering technicians to multimedia content creators. Traditional industries, such as the publishing and audiovisual sector, ventured into the CD-ROM domain, blurring the lines between print and digital media. Educational, gaming, or erotic content found new avenues of dissemination, reflecting broader shifts towards technology and media consumption. CD-ROMs also played a crucial role in understanding technological
paradigms, from interface design to data storage mechanisms. Yet, alongside the popularity of CD-ROMs were the trials of users. Installation processes tested their patience. Interactivity, a hallmark of CD-ROMs, sometimes fell short of expectations, highlighting the gap between technological promise and user experience, while
affordability also posed challenges. After a short overview of its potential to bring a new understanding within digital history, this presentation will focus on the sources available for historians to understand the lifecycle of CD-ROMs and their journey—from acquisition to interaction and finally «technostalgia» (Van der Heidjen, 2015) and preservation.
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