Programming in Grenoble in the 1960s and those who Flew from the Nest

This article summarizes the development of the Grenoble Institute of Informatics and Applied Mathematics (IMAG), created by Professor Jean Kuntzmann. Then it focuses on the Programming Team, headed by Professor Louis Bolliet. Since the 1960s, many Grenoble educated computer scientists and engineers have spread towards other university towns/campuses (the example of IRISA in Rennes is discussed) and to industry, thus contributing greatly to the diffusion of computer activities in France. After this historical outline, the author proposes some retrospective reflections on research and development in Programming Language Systems.