Computing is still losing its pioneers and heroes and particularly, nowadays the internet uses dynamic graphical pictures known as Graphics Interchange Format or the short GIF for our memes and Internet laughs.

With this, in sad news and confirmed by The Verge that Stephen Wilhite has passed away, via his wife, a few weeks back the obituary went official this week.

Contrary to what you might think, being as playful as the Internet is nowadays WAS NOT what Wilhite conceived the idea of GIF (pronounced JIF), but to take advantage of technological advances and improving the way you can transport dynamic images by the late 80’s.

At the time when he developed the GIF technology to CompuServe was a milestone, even when dial-up Internet was not a massive public thing by then.

Rest in Peace Mr. Wilhite and yes, “It's pronounced jif. End of story”.