[chasil]

FTP did have some odd features that were useful at times.

The SITE EXEC command allowed programs to be run remotely, with their output filtered back to the client.

The proxy command allowed functionality similar to modern jump host ssh.

Of course, anonymous ftp has no equivalent in ssh/sftp.

[toast0]

Being able to send files between two ftp servers without having to download then upload is a pretty interesting feature that arises from the two connection model of data transfer. Of course, that model also makes ftp hard to secure and hard to NAT.

[littlecranky67]

yepp, FXP. Popular in the warez scene back then, disabled for security reasons everywhere else. You could send arbitrary ASCII data to any remote ASCII based protocol - such as IRC or email. Countermeasures included limiting ports, or disallow download of files you uploaded etc.

[bcrl]

It was also a great way to break into buggy SunOS systems and gain root access... Oh, the early days of the internet!