[CQ-Contest] Where did it all start?

[John Unger]

I've been trying to remember where and why the whole packet/internet 
spotting started during contests. I seem to recall that it originated with 
the large contest clubs that had big MM stations. The basic idea was that 
during big contests all the club members would feed spots to "their" MM 
station to keep the ops on the multiplier rigs from getting bored (?) and 
thereby increase the MM station's score. Of course, this was all done 
locally with VHF/UHF packet systems that had probably originated just for 
DX spotting.

Then, I guess, contesting software (CT?) became available that could 
download and display the VHF spots in the logging program, and it became 
possible for SO stations to directly take advantage of this information 
being fed from other stations.

Maybe someone who remembers better than I can give us a more detailed and 
accurate history; specifically, when was the first "assisted" category 
created for SO stations using packet spots?

tnx es 73 - John, W4AU