The Xtravar name

A name. A vision.
A lasting legacy.

Xtravar — what’s in a name?

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, my dad, Roger Hunsberger, envisioned a graphical portal to the emerging internet—email, RSS, search, and useful services in one place. Think early Yahoo, but visual.

“To traverse far in knowledge and understanding.”

— Roger Hunsberger
Roger Hunsberger, early internet explorer and inspiration for Xtravar
Roger Hunsberger — visionary, technologist, and early internet explorer.

Milestones

  1. Late 1990s

    The Idea

    A graphical portal to the web—email, feeds, and useful services in one place. We began experimenting, hosting email for users around the world and playing with pixels into the night.

  2. 2000–2001

    “Xtravar” Gets Its Name

    Late one night in the South Minneapolis basement—between processors talk and The Secrets of Windows 95— I asked what “Xtravar” meant. Dad’s answer became our north star.

  3. Early 2000s

    A Hard Turn

    Complications from adult-onset hydrocephalus led to a difficult decision to shutter the portal. I sat with him as he wrote a heartfelt note to subscribers, thanking them for their support.

  4. Today

    Xtravar Lives On

    The name continues as Xtravar Group—helping companies traverse far in technology understanding and capability. My mom and I agree, he’d be proud.

Bring us the priority that needs to move.

We’ll start by understanding your business, what’s getting in the way, and where we can help. You don’t need a finished brief to get in touch.

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