History

The origins of Four in a Row are unclear, but this timeline shows some of its history.

1700s
According to legend, Captain Cook on his three voyages played Four in a Row so often that his crew called the game "The Captain's Mistress."
1974
Milton Bradley starts selling the board game "Connect Four", which is of course Four in Row.
October, 1988
James D. Allen and Victor Allis announce that they have independently come to the same conclusion: Four in a Row on a 7x6 board is a win for White with perfect play.
? - November, 2005
John Tromp discovers perfect play for many board sizes, as announced on (ex) his site.