SketchPad

SketchPad, in its original context, refers to a revolutionary computer program written by Ivan Sutherland in 1963 as part of his PhD thesis at MIT. It is widely regarded as the ancestor of computer-aided design (CAD) programs, as well as a significant milestone in the development of computer graphics and human-computer interaction.

SketchPad allowed users to interactively create and manipulate drawings directly on a computer screen using a light pen. Key innovations included the use of constraint-solving techniques to define relationships between graphical objects, hierarchical object structures, and the ability to zoom and pan the display. These features were novel and represented a paradigm shift in how computers could be used for design and visualization.

The impact of SketchPad extended beyond its immediate functionality. It demonstrated the potential of interactive computer graphics, influenced subsequent research in user interface design, and inspired the development of many subsequent computer graphics systems. The concepts pioneered in SketchPad remain fundamental to modern CAD, animation, and other graphics-intensive applications. It also served as an inspiration for object-oriented programming and influenced the development of the Smalltalk programming language.

While the term "SketchPad" specifically refers to Sutherland's original program, the name has occasionally been used informally to describe other simple drawing or sketching applications. However, its primary and historical significance remains tied to the groundbreaking program developed in the early 1960s.