# Coal: First Seam

> creative work by Kenneth Sherwood

**Wikidata**: [Q132204547](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q132204547)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/coal-first-seam

## Summary
*Coal: First Seam* is a work of electronic literature authored by Kenneth Sherwood and published in 2009. It is classified as a creative work and web-based application, constructed using the HTML and PHP programming languages. The work is written in English and is recognized within digital literature databases.

## Key Facts
- **Author:** Kenneth Sherwood
- **Publication Date:** 2009
- **Genre:** Electronic literature
- **Instance Type:** Creative work, Web page, Application
- **Distribution Format:** Web page
- **Programming Languages:** HTML, PHP
- **Language:** English
- **ELMCIP ID:** 12674

## FAQs
### Q: Who created *Coal: First Seam*?
A: *Coal: First Seam* was created by Kenneth Sherwood. It is cataloged as a creative work published in 2009.

### Q: What type of work is *Coal: First Seam*?
A: It is a work of electronic literature. Structurally, it functions as a web page and software application designed for end-users.

### Q: What technologies were used to build *Coal: First Seam*?
A: The work was built using HTML and PHP. PHP is a scripting language commonly used for web development.

## Why It Matters
*Coal: First Seam* represents a specific instance of electronic literature where creative writing intersects with web-based software application. By utilizing PHP—a scripting language generally focused on web development—alongside standard HTML, the work exemplifies the move of literary arts into dynamic, programmable digital formats. Its classification as both a "creative work" and an "application" highlights the evolving nature of texts in the digital age, where the delivery mechanism (software) is integral to the artistic expression. The inclusion of the work in the ELMCIP (Electronic Literature as a Model of Creativity and Innovation in Practice) knowledge base underscores its relevance to scholars and researchers studying the history and development of digital literary forms. It serves as a case study for how web technologies were being adopted for artistic purposes in the late 2000s.

## Notable For
- Being a creative work that functions simultaneously as a web page and a software application.
- Utilizing server-side scripting (PHP) in the context of literary creation.
- Serving as a representative example of electronic literature from 2009.
- Being cataloged in academic and electronic literature databases (ELMCIP).

## Body

### Classification and Nature
*Coal: First Seam* is classified as an instance of a creative work, a web page, and an application. It falls under the genre of electronic literature. The work is determined to be a software program or group of programs designed for end-users, distributed via the format of a web page.

### Technical Specifications
The technical infrastructure of *Coal: First Seam* relies on two primary technologies:
- **HTML:** Used for the structure and content presentation.
- **PHP:** A scripting language focused on web development, used to implement the application logic.

### Creation and Publication
The work was authored by Kenneth Sherwood and published in 2009. The language of the work is English. It is distinct from static texts due to its dual identity as an interactive application.

### Academic Context
The work is indexed within the ELMCIP knowledge base under the ID 12674. This classification connects the work to the broader academic study of electronic literature and digital humanities.