INTERCAL, an abbreviation for Compiler Language With No Pronounceable Acronym, was created in 1972, thus probably making it the first ever esoteric programming language. (See Prehistory of Esoteric Languages for an alternate view.) Donald R. Woods and James M. Lyon invented it with the goal of creating a language with no similarities whatsoever to any existing programming languages. The language largely succeeds in this goal, apart from its use of an assignment statement. It also suffers fro...| esolangs.org
Eric, best known for his work in the free software / open source movement, is also responsible for developing C-INTERCAL in 1990, a critical moment for esolangs, from the 70s language INTERCAL, perhaps the very first esolang| esoteric.codes
Before brainfuck and Befunge, there was INTERCAL. Don Woods discusses the creation of this pioneering esolang and how he looks at geek culture today.| esoteric.codes