Current hardware description languages (HDLs) benefit from the efforts of designers of hardware description languages dating back to the mid 1960s. The developers of six HDLs discuss their motivations and their views of how their work relates to the present very-high-speed integrated circuit HDLs (VHDLs). The languages discussed are Computer Design Languages (CDL). Digital Systems Design Languages (DDL). A Hardware Programming Language (AHPL), Instruction Set Processor Specifications (ISPS), Instruction Set Processor Prime (ISP'), and Texas Instruments Hardware Description Language (TI-HDL).