The evolution and architecture of a high-speed workstation for interactive graphics

In 1975, California Computer Products, Inc. (CalComp) embarked on the design of a multi-station Interactive Graphics System. As a major part of this design effort, a fresh look was taken at the requirements for the workstation, which, after all, is the operator's sole point of contact with the system. The needs of the operator were perceived as follows: • To examine the working drawing—any part at any magnification. • To interact with the drawing—pointing where useful, typing where useful. —To perform the above rapidly so that he functions in a result-oriented rather than mechanics-oriented environment. 1 , 3 , 4 • To receive prompting as necessary for complex operations.