Java Jacket Tribute July 18, 2007
Posted by WarpedJavaGuy in java, programming.trackback
Show me a seasoned Java programmer and I’ll show you an original Java jacket.
I would like to pay tribute to the original and coveted way cool Sun Java jacket:
This Java jacket is a classic Sun Microsystems original. If you were at the right place at the right time when The Big Java Bang occurred, then you could be one of the lucky few that has one. Consider yourself privileged if you do and be sure to treasure it for all time, for the Java jacket is a limited edition collector’s item with sentimental and historical Java value. It is worthy of being preserved and put into a time capsule. If alien programmers were to descend upon us, I’d meet and greet them wearing this jacket. Honored are those who have one and humbled are those who want one!
I was fortunate enough to get mine through a Sun Java training promotion in the year 2000. I successfully completed ten days of Java training and qualified for a free one (at the expense of my employer who paid for the training of course). I completed and signed the registration form and secured my jacket. A few weeks later it arrived at head office. I was out at a client site at the time and got the phone call from the receptionist. “A Java jacket has arrived for you”, she said. I remember those words as clear as day. I said I was coming and hung up the phone, pressed Ctrl-Alt-Del and Enter, walked straight to my car, and drove directly to head office. I wanted to get there as quickly as possible to minimize the risk of someone else spotting the jacket and stealing it before I got there. When I got to the office it was there waiting for me at reception. I politely thanked the receptionist, crammed the Jacket into my bag, and then left the building. I got back into my car and drove straight home. When I got home I made a nice cup of hot coffee and grabbed a fine piece of rich dark chocolate. I put my Java jacket on and enjoyed my coffee and enjoyed my chocolate.
So was the day when I got my Java jacket. I have only worn the Jacket on two other occasions since. One was on the very next day at work, and the other was on a cool summer night whilst fishing off the pier.
Damn, all I got was a Duke pin and a pen with coffee beans in the end.
The *really* rare Java jackets are similar to the one you have, but the coffee cup logo on the back is embroidered in all black on the back. Those went to just the Javasoft employees (afaik).
Jerry
Even rarer is the one I have here as it is the prototype for the Java jacket. In the late 90’s I had a client that did up promo/swag products for large corporations and he had the Sun contract at the time. He was the one who had the Java jackets designed and manufactured originally. When I saw them I had to have one but none of the ones he had in stock fit me at the time. He did however still have the early prototype jacket which fit like a glove. The differences (if I recall correctly) were that the leather was done in a matte finish calf skin and the lining is quilted Thinsulate. I don’t know how many were produced like this one but I know they were all “prototypes” It was decided the calf skin wouldn’t wear as well and thus it was changed to the glossy leather.
Sadly at the time I did wear this jacket a lot so it has several years of use on it but the embroidery is still perfect though it could all use a good cleaning. Still hangs in my closet. I stopped wearing it back around 2002.