The Berkeley Software Distribution records, 1974-2005, comprise technical manuals, drafts, and notes pertaining to the Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD) operating system, a UNIX derivative developed at the University of California, Berkeley, from 1974-1995. A limited number of inscribed published materials are included, as are a vast quantity of magnetic data reels and CD-ROMs containing complete distributions of the operating system from various stages in its development.

AT&T's Bell Labs began development on the UNIX operating system in 1969. In 1973 an early release was distributed free-of-charge to a number of educational and research institutions, including UC Berkeley. Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD) began as a UNIX derivative, created by researchers and students at the University of California, Berkeley, as supplements to the UNIX operating system developed at AT&T's Bell Labs.

Number of containers: 10 cartons Linear feet: 12.5

All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Head of Public Services, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, 94270-6000. Consent is given on behalf of the University Archives as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission from the copyright owner. Such permission must obtained from the copyright owner. See: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/reference/permissions.html. Restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.

Collection is open for research.