Around 1958 IBM marketed a film recorder for the IBM 704 computer that could be used to record "point plots" on 8-mm film. This facility provided engineers with their first opportunity to view computer-generated graphs and computer-animated movies. Computer-generated traffic simulations were recorded on film using this equipment. For demonstration purposes, IBM also provided a display unit that operated as a slave to the film recorder so that the plotting could be seen by the machine operator. The film recorder and display unit became the basis for the initial GMR experiments in interactive computer graphics.

June 1958 saw the start of discussions with various GM divisions, such as Styling, Fisher Body, and Chevrolet, to gain an appreciation for the many problems of vehicle design and engineering. From these discussions, it became apparent that the time-consuming problems were in the areas of drafting and the translation of drawings into models, templates, production tools, and fixtures. It was felt that, if a computer could read sketches and drawings, then it could be programmed to produce further drawings, engineering data, and control tapes for numerically controlled machine tools.

PAPER:

R. Patrick, "General Motors/North American Monitor for the IBM 704 Computer," Rand Report P-7316, Jan, presented at the National Computer Conf., Pioneer Day, June 17, 1987.

(Inside first opportunity to view computer-generated graphs and computer-animated movies around 1958.)