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The silver anniversary of Y2K, one of the more peculiar events in recent human history, is rapidly approaching. There had been a long-standing fear in the years preceding January 1, 2000, that the growing number of technologically connected items in our lives would malfunction because so much of the early computer code counted years in two digits, up to “99,” and nobody was entirely certain what would happen if it was permitted to roll over to “00.”
There were evident issues with certain industries and the computer programs they used: memberships, banking and taxes, insurance policies that calculated life expectancy, and anything else that based its calculations on years prior to 1900 or later would be impacted. Additionally, code would need to be updated to include two extra digits.
However, there was a broader worry that everything might be impacted, including traffic lights and airplanes. There was a worldwide rush to get ready for Y2K. Additionally, not much happened on January 1, 2000.
Chris Bronk, an associate professor at the University of Houston’s Hobby School of Public Affairs, joins us in the audio above as we reflect on Y2K. He tells us about his experiences working as a software engineer during the Y2K era.
LISTENER REMEMBERINGS:
We also requested some stories from your fellow Houstonians. A sample of what they told us is as follows:
An Unsettling Experience on a Cruise
Zach writes: At the time, I was traveling with 22 family members on a Caribbean cruise. I believe we were off the coast of Jamaica on the evening of December 31. Since the ship was brand-new and had been constructed with the Y2K problems already fixed, we were assured that there was no risk, but naturally, everyone had some minor concerns due to the widespread hype.
At this large Millennium NYE event, we were waiting for the fireworks to begin on the ship’s deck when all of the lights briefly went out. It was eerily silent after the music stopped, and then they turned on the speakers and said, “Just kidding,” before the fireworks began.
There were probably five to ten seconds of darkness, and I recall the moment of terror rising until I looked up and saw the Milky Way overhead, which strangely made me feel better. I reasoned that everything would be alright if this were real. They were, too. More than anything else about that vacation, I can still clearly recall the stars and the feeling of peace.
Counting Down to the Final Chapter
“My mom believed in one false prophet who said that the world [would] end that night,” writes Emmanuel. She said that we should all return home. She was in Coleman, Texas, and we all returned there. We all attended church and hoped to enter paradise at the end of our lives, anticipating the end of the world. We celebrated in church like we had won the jackpot when nothing happened at midnight.
Jackets for Y2K
Adam writes: “At the time, my brother and I were enrolled in high school. In case the electrical grid went out for a long time, our dad got us big, fluffy jackets. We still own what we refer to as our “Y2K jackets.”
Preparing for the End of the World
Rowan remembers: “My stepfather drove my mother crazy because he thought the world was ending. We, her children, had to clear up the house after mom passed away a few months earlier and discovered all these goods that had been piled up like enormous containers of rice for an apocalypse that she would never live to witness—and of course, never did. Have fun.
Remember the possibility of human error at all times.
Craig Cohen, host of Houston Matters, shares this memory:
It seems like yesterday to me. At WILL, the Champaign/Urbana, Illinois, public radio station, I hosted the local Morning Edition. And on December 31, 1999, I was at work. As we entered the year 2000, there had been long-standing worries that the growing number of technologically connected items in our life will malfunction.
Thus, we watched those initial time zones shifting into the new year as the world rushed to update computer code. We were broadcasting the BBC’s live transmission from Tonga for the first one, which was scheduled to happen at 4 a.m. our time. With forty-five seconds remaining in the countdown to the new year, the broadcast abruptly cut out after an enthusiastic reporter explained what was happening. Quiet.
Alright, it might have been a simple technological glitch. An hour later, the BBC returned to our broadcast, ushering in the new year from the next time zone. One more party. Another eager reporter…and once more, 45 seconds before the countdown there was over, the feed cut out.
We were starting to get a little worried at this point. Was there such a thing as Y2K? Was it interfering with our broadcasting?
Our technical team finally realized that it was our own, regularly scheduled automation system that was causing local breaks that we simply happened not to be taking that morning when it happened a third time, just before six in the morning. As you can see, the BBC typically did not provide us with audio until the very last minute. A human error occurred. Trash in, trash out. However, it was unrelated to the feared year 2000.
Do you recall getting ready for the year 2000? Contact us at [email protected] to share your memories.
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