# Icon Library

> collection of 21,265 16-bit icons

**Wikidata**: [Q128244879](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q128244879)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/icon-library

## Summary
Icon Library is a software collection of 21,265 16-bit icons designed for use on the Microsoft Windows platform. Released in 1996, it operates under a shareware license and provides digital downloads of its icon catalog. The resource caters to users seeking retro or vintage-style graphical elements.

## Key Facts
- Contains **21,265 16-bit icons**.
- Designed for the **Microsoft Windows** operating system.
- Initially released in **1996**.
- Licensed as **shareware**.
- Available via digital download at **https://www.iconlibrary.com/** (English-language site).
- Classified as a **software** instance.
- Holds **copyrighted** status.
- Focuses on 16-bit iconography, characteristic of early computing graphics.

## FAQs
### Q: How many icons are included in Icon Library?
A: Icon Library contains **21,265 individual 16-bit icons**, making it a substantial archive of vintage graphical elements.

### Q: Is Icon Library compatible with modern operating systems?
A: The software is specifically designed for **Microsoft Windows**, though its compatibility with newer OS versions may vary due to its 1996 inception and 16-bit focus.

### Q: What is the licensing model for Icon Library?
A: It operates under a **shareware** license, allowing users to try the software before purchasing a full license.

## Why It Matters
Icon Library holds significance as a preserved collection of early digital iconography, reflecting the aesthetic and technical limitations of 16-bit computing. For developers, designers, or historians interested in retro technology, the archive serves as a valuable resource for restoring or recreating vintage software interfaces. Its sheer volume of icons—over 21,000—highlights the scale of graphical design efforts in the mid-1990s. While modern icon sets prioritize high-resolution imagery, Icon Library remains a niche tool for compatibility projects or nostalgic design work, underscoring the evolution of graphical user interfaces.

## Notable For
- **Large-scale 16-bit icon repository**: One of the most extensive collections of its kind from the 1990s.
- **Windows-specific design**: Tailored to the dominant operating system of its era, ensuring utility for legacy software projects.
- **Shareware distribution model**: Reflects the common pre-internet software distribution method of "try before you buy."
- **Specialized retro appeal**: Serves niche audiences in gaming, emulation, or historical preservation.

## Body
### Overview
Icon Library is a software package released in **1996** as a curated archive of **21,265 16-bit icons**. It functions as a digital resource for users requiring graphical elements compatible with older systems, particularly those running **Microsoft Windows**.

### Technical Specifications
- **Icon Format**: 16-bit color depth, standard for mid-1990s graphical design.
- **Distribution**: Delivered via **digital download**, accessible through its official English-language website (**https://www.iconlibrary.com/**).
- **Compatibility**: Designed for **Microsoft Windows**, with no explicit support claimed for non-Windows platforms.

### Licensing and Access
- **Shareware Model**: Users can trial the software, with full access contingent on purchasing a license.
- **Copyright Status**: Protected under copyright law, restricting unauthorized redistribution or modification.

### Historical Context
- **Inception**: Launched in **1996**, a period marked by the transition from 16-bit to 32-bit computing, preserving a snapshot of graphical design trends.
- **Cultural Role**: Serves as a time capsule for early digital art, offering insights into the visual language of software development during the Windows 95/98 era.