The 80-character display standard traces back to IBM's 1971 3270 terminal, which forced the industry to standardize on 80×24 lines. IBM's dominance in the terminal market made this size unavoidable, as competing manufacturers had to match the 3270's specifications to survive. This historical pivot from punch cards to CRT technology established the 80×24 format as a de facto industry standard, persisting in modern terminal windows despite technological advancements. The article debunks theories suggesting 80×25 displays were inevitable, arguing standardization—not technology—was the decisive factor.