According to Wikipedia, Mathlab was a computer algebra system (written in Lisp) from the late 60s, whose author went on to write Macsyma, which inspired Mathema

According to Wikipedia, Mathlab was a computer algebra system (written in Lisp) from the late 60s, whose author went on to write Macsyma, which inspired Mathematica. Like you I'm still not sure whether parent poster meant that, or is confused about Matlab vs Mathematica.