In 1994 Sun Microsystems Laboratories were working on a "Smart TV" concept. It became apparent that C++ was unsuitable for the embedded software, as it was a far too complex and somewhat dangerous language.

A new language called "Star Seven" was conceived. This borrowed much of the syntax from C++, but was otherwise completely new.

Early in 1995 it was realised that the language could be applied to the rapidly evolving World Wide Web. The name was changed to "Oak", and a web browser was written in it ("WebRunner").

Later in the same year, the name was changed again after it was discovered that there was already an "Oak" language. Java, and the browser (now called "Hot Java"), were unleashed on the unsuspecting world.

At this point, the rest of the world jumped onto the bandwagon.