> While I may be mis-remembering, IIRC that wasn't true in System V Unix from
> AT&T (which is where I was first exposed to it).

According to http://bitsavers.trailing-edge.com/pdf/att/3b1/999-801-312IS_ATT_UNIX_PC_System_V_Users_Manual_Volume_1.pdf and

https://archive.org/details/bitsavers_attunixSystemVRelease4ProgrammersReferenceManual19_55505648/page/n13/mode/2up there is no 'head' command. So Nevin's experience is accurate.