Chrome OS was originally based on a different browser: Firefox. The super light operating system was built by an engineer who grew tired of unnecessarily long browser restart times and slow file system movements. Jeff Nelson, who built Chrome OS’s first versions, solved his issues by storing the operating system in the computer’s RAM and relying on webapps to keep the software light. His original pitch for the OS was turned down by Google management, and it was a year after that when Google’s Chrome browser began development, taking Nelson’s project away from Firefox. Nelson no longer works at Google developing the platform, but his anecdotes share an interesting insight into the philosophies behind Chrome OS.
When Chrome OS was based on Firefox and rejected by Google
is The Verge’s executive editor. He has covered tech, policy, and online creators for over a decade.
Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
