it was speculated that without roff there might be no Unix.
Old hands will be familiar with the story.
Doug - thank you for retelling the story. As you say, older hand knew it. FWIW: It's one of my examples of when I try to explain my observation UNIX became self-sustaining because "Simple
Economics always beats Sophisticated Design"
The key point is that UNIX obtained >>users<< (customers) because it inexpensively did what people needed to do when they had not other way ->> "simple economics." But it had to be based on solid foundations. Just being "cheap" is not good enough. It has be "useful." UNIX found 'users' that needed what it brought them.
Clem