[rileymat2]

This is true, README has a long history.

However, I strongly associate Readme.md, designed for a web based intro view with Github.

It would be interesting to get the real history, because it could be a fluke of timing.

I’d bet if we look back at old source forge projects created pre-github there would be a strong correlation with the markdown version added and the rise of github. (Of course this could be a timing fluke)

[theshrike79]

Markdown was invented around 2004, Github was founded in 2008.

[rileymat2]

Which means you may be able to see a correlated acceleration in usage.