Several Python users have sent suggestions about what Python fixes. I still don't feel sure of the answer. I feel like I know what causes people to use Python now (that Perl is a kludge), but I'm not sure that problem was Python's origin. George Demmy: Basic too basic (wimpy), Perl too scary (perlious? :), and Scheme too weird. Python daddy Guido van Rossum has stated repeatedly and much to the chagrin of the Pythonista faithful that Python is designed for teaching programming to the uninitiated. I could track down some quotes if you like, but I don't have any references at hand. James Hague: BASIC and Pascal are no longer viable teaching languages. I know that's probably insulting to people who use Python for large tasks--and I agree that it is a good language for such--but if you dig back to the original reasons for creating the language, and the philosophy behind many of its features, then it makes more sense. Laurent Szyster: C is dangerous, Java is static and Perl is scary. Nathan Myers: Perl is a mess. Neil Schemenauer: ABC was not suitable as a system level scripting language. Guido worked on the ABC project while at CWI. For more details take a look at this interview: http://www.amk.ca/python/writing/gvr-interview.html.