Cloud computing was not a known term in the 1970s. However, this is about work done from 1975 to 1990, which with today’s terminology partly could have been termed, cloud computing. This article is about how we discovered hash-based methods for doing relational algebra, searching for efficient algorithms to run on a future parallel computer. We found the algorithms; however, Norsk Data never built the parallel computer. We built four parallel computers ourselves, but first we implemented the hash based relational algebra algorithms in TechRa, a system for mono computers, and obtained excellent results. Being able to establish a lab, developing machines, software and algorithms led to a very rich research period from 1985 to 1990, involving many PhD and master students. We had the world record in both sorting and relational algebra on our parallel computers for a while. We commercialized our research in 1989 with many positive effects, but with negative effects to the university activities in the field.