Explore the fascinating evolution of .NET, Visual Studio, and related Microsoft development tools in this 54-minute talk by Richard Campbell. Trace the winding path of .NET from its inception over fifteen years ago to the present day, examining how development tools, operating systems, and hardware have intertwined to shape its journey. Delve into key milestones, including the 1980s and 90s tech landscape, the influence of Bill Gates, anticompetitive practices, and pivotal events like PDC 2001 and 2003. Learn about the roles of influential figures such as Scott Guthrie and Ray Ozzie, and discover how technologies like Silverlight, Windows Azure, and .NET Core have impacted the Microsoft development ecosystem. Gain insights into the future of .NET and understand how external factors like the rise of smartphones and competing browsers have influenced its direction.