(brief) history of hci
TRANSCRIPT
History of HCIØDigital computer grounded in ideas
from 1700�s & 1800�s
ØTechnology became available in the 1940�s and 1950�s
ØThe �user� concept is relatively new
Fall 2019
History of HCIØ Mechanical Computers http://www.thocp.net
Ø 1623 Schickard makes "Calculating Clock".
6-digit machine can add, subtract, bell indicates overflow.Ø 1674 Leibniz designs his "Stepped Reckoner�
Can multiply, with operands of up to 5 and 12 digits.User turns a crank for each unit in each digit
Ø 1820 de Colmar makes "Arithmometer�
First mass-produced calculator. Does multiplication & division. It is also the most reliable calculator yet. Continue to be sold for about 90 years.
Ø 1889 Felt invents the first printing desk calculator.
Ø 1935 IBM introduces "IBM 601", punch card machine
capable of 1 multiplication /second. 1500 are made. Ø 1945 Mauchly & Eckert "ENIAC� for ballistics.
30 tons, 1000 ft2 of floor, 140 kilowatts of electricity, 17,468 vacuum tubesØ Enigma: German coding machine in WWII
Fall 2019
Batch ProcessingØComputer had one task,
performed sequentiallyØNo �interaction� between
operator and computer after starting the run
ØPunch cards, tapes for inputØSerial operations
Fall 2019
Paradigm Shifter: Vannevar Bush
Ø Postulated Memex devicev Stores all
records/articles/communicationsv Items retrieved by indexing, keywords,
cross references (now called hyperlinks)v (Envisioned as microfilm, not computer)
Ø Interactive and nonlinear components are key
Fall 2019
Mid 1960�sØTimesharing mode of computing
v Computers too expensive for individuals timesharing increased accessibility
v interactive systems, not jobsv text processing, editingv email, shared file system
Need for HCIFall 2019
Paradigm Shifter: J.R. Licklider
Ø1960 - Postulated �man-computer symbiosis�
ØCouple human brainsand computing machinestightly to revolutionizeinformation handling
Fall 2019
Paradigm Shifter: Ivan Sutherland
ØSketchPad - �63 PhD thesis at MITv Hierarchy - pictures & subpicturesv Master picture with instances (ie, OOP)v Constraintsv Iconsv Copyingv Light pen for inputv Recursive operations
Fall 2019
Computers as ToolkitsØMultipurpose toolkitsØAbstracting out common tasks (tools)ØReusable elementsØAt the disposal of humans
Fall 2019
Paradigm Shifter: Douglas Engelbart
ØLandmark system/demo:v Mouse, windowsv Hypertextv Multimediav High-res display, v Shared files, CSCW,v Electronic messaging, teleconferencing, ...
ØInventor of mouseFall 2019
Paradigm Shifter: Alan Kay�Personal Computing�
ØDynabook: Notebook sized computer loaded with multimedia and can store everything
ØDesktop interface metaphor
Fall 2019
Paradigm Shifter: Ted NelsonØComputers can help
people, not just business
ØCoined term �hypertext�
Fall 2019
Personal ComputersØ1974 IBM 5100 Ø1981 DatamasterØ1981 IBM XT/AT
v Text and command-basedv Sold lotsv Performed lots of tasks the
general public wanted donev A good basic toolkit
Ø1978 VisiCalcFall 2019
Personal ComputingØSystem is more powerful if
it’s easier to useØSmall, powerful machines
dedicated to individualØImportance of networks
and time-sharingØTime names �The Computer� Man of the
Year, 1982 (http://www.time.com/time/special/moy/1982.html)
Fall 2019
WIMPØWindows, Icons, Menus, PointersØTimesharing=multiusers; now we need
multitaskingØWIMP interface allows you to do
several things simultaneouslyØHas become the familiar GUI interfaceØXerox Alto, Star; early Apples
Fall 2019
PCs with GUIsØXerox PARC - mid 1970�sØAlto
v local processor, bitmap display, mouse
v Precursor to modern GUI,windows, menus, scrollbars
v LAN - ethernet
Fall 2019
Xerox Star - �81Ø First commercial PC designed for�business professionals�v desktop metaphor, pointing, WYSIWYG,
consistency and simplicityØ First system based on usability
v Paper prototyping and analysisv Usability testing & iterative refinement
ØCommercial flopv $15k costv closed architecturev lacking key functionality (spreadsheet)
Fall 2019
Apple Macintosh - �84ØAggressive pricing - $2500ØNot trailblazer, smart copierØGood interface guidelinesØ3rd party applicationsØHigh quality graphics
and laser printer
Fall 2019
MultimodalityØMode is a human
communication channelv Not just the senses
e.g., speech and non-speech audio are two modes
ØEmphasis on simultaneous use of multiple channels for I/O
Fall 2019
Speech, Language?ØActions do not always speak louder
than wordsØInterface as mediator or agentØLanguage paradigmØHow good does it need to be?
v �Tricks�, vocabulary, domainsØHow �human� do we want it to be?
v (HAL, Bob, PaperClip, Siri, Alexa)
Fall 2019
Modern-Day UbiquityØPerson is no longer user of virtual
device but occupant of virtual, computationally-rich environment
ØCan no longer neglect macro-social aspects
ØLate �90s - PDAs, VEs, ...Ø2000�s - mobile phones, smartphonesØNow?…Social impacts: police, travel,
protest, concerts, sportsFall 2019