June 6, 2025Launching an Oral History of the Origins of the United States Digital ServiceOpinions about technology’s role in government are everywhere right now, especially after the United States Digital Service was reorganized and renamed to the United States DOGE Service on January 20, 2025. Today we are proud to share the outcome of this work: an oral history documenting how the United States Digital Service came to exist, and the initial days of building its foundation. The United States Digital Service Origins features nearly 50 interviews, spanning 2009 – 2015, with those involved in the founding of the United States Digital Service, as well as some of the first leaders of agency teams and Communities of Practice. When we looked across interviews, we were able to identify key themes and lessons, and create a chronology of events that tell the story of how the U.S. Digital Service was conceptualized and how it came to life. Whatever form government technology teams take in the coming years, the U.S. Digital Service’s legacy and learnings are relevant.