ACCESS.bus: The Forgotten Universal Serial Bus That Lives On

ACCESS.bus, a universal serial bus based on the I²C protocol, attempted to challenge USB in the 1990s but ultimately failed. This article recounts its history, from DEC's ambitious vision to its eventual use in monitor communication (DDC), and explores the reasons for its failure: slow speed, lack of major vendor support, and DEC's declining influence. While ACCESS.bus didn't become mainstream, parts of its technology persist in HDMI and DisplayPort, showcasing its innovative and forward-thinking nature.