Evolution of Smalltalk: From Smalltalk-72 through Squeak by Dan Ingalls: http://worrydream.com/refs/Ingalls%20-%20The%20Evolution%20o... [pdf]. It's 101 pages but also worth reading, if for nothing else that what I found to be a really interesting story of how Smalltalk-80 was essentially bootstrapped from the similaryl named but nowhere as capable Smalltalk-72
Kay and Ingalls do a good job discussing the actual history of Smalltalk but with their own focus being on what it enabled, with very little interest in the actual commercial side of things. Wirfs-Brock's post gives more information about the context of Smalltalk in the commercial and enterprise setting.
One thing that struck while reading, you got to think long term and position yourself better. Communicate the positives more. Gain audience and so the funding. Then it becomes mainstream
http://wirfs-brock.com/allen/posts/914 - a direct response, well worth the read as it provides more context and a different perspective.
From my recent reading list:
Evolution of Smalltalk: From Smalltalk-72 through Squeak by Dan Ingalls: http://worrydream.com/refs/Ingalls%20-%20The%20Evolution%20o... [pdf]. It's 101 pages but also worth reading, if for nothing else that what I found to be a really interesting story of how Smalltalk-80 was essentially bootstrapped from the similaryl named but nowhere as capable Smalltalk-72
The Early History of Smalltalk by Alan Kay: http://worrydream.com/EarlyHistoryOfSmalltalk/
Kay and Ingalls do a good job discussing the actual history of Smalltalk but with their own focus being on what it enabled, with very little interest in the actual commercial side of things. Wirfs-Brock's post gives more information about the context of Smalltalk in the commercial and enterprise setting.