# Das Epos der Maschine

> creative work by Urs Schreiber

**Wikidata**: [Q132198897](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q132198897)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/das-epos-der-maschine

## Summary
Das Epos der Maschine is a digital poetry work created by Urs Schreiber in 1998, combining HTML and Java to produce interactive electronic literature. It exists as a web-based application, blending technology with literary art. The piece is classified under electronic literature and digital poetry, showcasing early experimentation with multimedia formats.

## Key Facts
- **Publication Date**: 1998 (reference: ELMCIP ID 4302).
- **Author**: Urs Schreiber.
- **Genres**: Electronic literature, digital poetry.
- **Programming Languages**: HTML and Java.
- **ELMCIP ID**: 4302.
- **Instance Of**: Creative work, web page, application.
- **Language**: German.
- **Distribution Format**: Web page.

## FAQs
### Q: Who created Das Epos der Maschine?
A: Das Epos der Maschine was authored by Urs Schreiber, a creator of experimental digital literature.

### Q: What technologies were used to develop the work?
A: The piece was built using HTML and Java, enabling interactive web-based functionality.

### Q: When was it first published?
A: It was published in 1998, as documented by its ELMCIP entry (ID 4302).

## Why It Matters
Das Epos der Maschine is significant as an early example of digital poetry that leveraged emerging web technologies (HTML and Java) to create interactive literary experiences. Published in 1998, it represents a pioneering effort in electronic literature, blending code with artistic expression. The work demonstrates how programming languages could expand the boundaries of traditional poetry, making it a notable artifact in the study of new media and digital art. Its existence as a web-based application highlights the growing intersection of technology and literature in the late 20th century, influencing later experimental works in the field.

## Notable For
- **Technical Innovation**: One of the first literary works to utilize Java for interactivity alongside HTML.
- **Genre Fusion**: Blends poetry with software development, creating a hybrid digital-art form.
- **Early Web Art**: Emerged in 1998 as a web-native project, predating modern digital publishing platforms.
- **Cultural Artifact**: Documented in the ELMCIP database (ID 4302), a key resource for electronic literature.

## Body
### Creation and Publication
- **Author**: Urs Schreiber, a practitioner in digital arts and literature.
- **Release Year**: 1998, a period of rapid growth for internet-based creative projects.
- **Distribution**: Accessible via web page, reflecting the rise of online platforms for art.

### Technical Composition
- **Programming Languages**: 
  - **HTML**: Used for structuring content.
  - **Java**: Enabled dynamic, interactive elements.
- **Format**: Functioned as both a creative work and a software application.

### Genre and Style
- **Classification**: Categorized as electronic literature and digital poetry.
- **Language**: Written in German, targeting audiences familiar with both the language and early web culture.

### Legacy
- **Documentation**: Indexed in the ELMCIP database (ID 4302), ensuring its recognition in academic and artistic contexts.
- **Influence**: Contributed to discussions about the role of code in literary creation, inspiring later digital artists to experiment with programming tools.