SCP-256 is an early SCP from /x/ threads on 4chan which has survived to the present day on the WikiDot iteration of the SCP series.^[1]https://archive.ph/QNbYp#selection-5605.94-5605.109^[2]https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-256 It was first posted to thread #448755, and later given the title “Trapped in the Typewriter”. It is the first use of the well-known SCP Wiki shibboleth “Does the Black Moon Howl?” and is the earliest-ported SCP to EditThis to incorporate custom formatting, i.e. text boxes for the addenda/console commands.^[3]http://web.archive.org/web/20080410223329/http://www.editthis.info:80/scp_wiki/SCP-256 It exists on Wikidot.^[4]https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-256

History

SCP-256 was transferred to the EditThis on January 21, 2008 by Lofwyr.^[5]https://archive.ph/QNbYp#selection-6979.0-6979.330, and along with others from the same /x/ thread (e.g. SCP-002, SCP-003). It was ported to the WikiDot on July 26, 2008 by far2. Once on WikiDot, an edit would reveal the author of SCP-256 to be WikiDot user DrakeRunner.^[6]http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/drakerunner^[7]https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-256, rev. 1

In September 2014, the article was called for a review by a SCP Wiki Rewrite staff member, which would subject the article to a vote on whether or not to undergo a formal rewrite.^[8]https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/forum/t-76884/scp-256#post-2107843^[9]https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/forum/t-76884/scp-256#post-2107859^[10]https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/forum/t-76884/scp-256#post-2107872 The idea was combated and ultimately, SCP-256 was not rewritten.^[11]https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/forum/t-76884/scp-256#post-2107856 The initial author wrote in the thread:

“As author, I’m deeply pleased that someone considered the article worth reviewing as a whole. I’m not exceptionally proud of my writing skills, especially after SCP-257-ARC, but it seems like the overwhelming attitude about the article is “Very old, with all the pros and cons that go with that, such as super bad formatting” and “super-bad and I’m not letting it get away just because of its age” Both of which I see as valid. I would not be against someone creating a revised 256b, one more in line with current protocols and updating the containment description to be more revised/metric.” — DrakeRunner^[12]https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/forum/t-76884/scp-256#post-2133693

Historical Contributions

SCP-256 is notable in several ways. First, it was the first narratively-developed SCP posted on an /x/ thread, spanning 9 (partially interrupted) posts, marking a dramatic bend towards story-telling as opposed to strictly prescriptive/descriptive language, and including a focus on in-universe characters and their character arcs. In testament to this, comments recommended this be a tale (“it’s a story”) as opposed to an SCP.^[13]https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/forum/t-76884/scp-256#post-501254 SCP-256 is the first instance of meshing traditional story-telling with the cold, stark nature of the early SCP format.

Trivia

SCP-256 has not been rewritten, despite numerous calls for this over many years.^[14]https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/forum/t-76884/scp-256