Screenshot from the iconic game of the 1980s, "The Oregon Trail."(R. Philip Brouchard )

Between 1843 and the mid-1870s, hundreds of thousands of Americans emigrated west across the Oregon and California Trail. A century later, millions of American children recreated this journey while playing the game "The Oregon Trail" from the safety of their school computer labs. They managed supplies and explored landmarks while trying to avoid dying of dysentery, cholera or accidents.

Underground History host Chelsea Rose speaks with the lead designer of the 1985 video game, R. Philip Bouchard, and Underground History producer Charlie Zimmermann about the game’s development, accuracy and legacy.

Events

• Charlie Zimmerman will present "Windows in Time: Did the Oregon Trail Computer Game Get It Right?" at the Medford library on Feb. 4, and the Ashland library on Feb. 11 at 12:00 p.m., and will be available online after the live events.
  

Guests

• R. Philip Bouchard, game designer
• Charlie Zimmerman, producer