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How did computers change drafting in the early 1960s?

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Figure 1: Two techniques of representing an object. (A) Perspective drawing, suggesting that the object is cubical. (B) Orthographic top and front views, revealing that the object is not cubical. — drafting Figure 1: *Two techniques of representing an object.* (A) Perspective drawing, suggesting that the object is cubical. (B) Orthographic top and front views, revealing that the object is not cubical.

In the early 1960s, drafting underwent a significant transformation with the introduction of programs designed to compose graphic images directly on computer monitors. This shift allowed users to retain data in memory and retrieve it to actuate plotting devices, which could then produce engineering drawings, including lines, arcs, symbols, and alphanumeric notes.1

A pivotal development during this period was Sketchpad, created by Ivan Sutherland in 1963. As the first interactive computer-graphics program, it utilized a cathode-ray tube display and a light pen, enabling users to manipulate objects on screen. This innovation laid the foundation for computer-aided design (CAD), which eventually replaced traditional manual drawing techniques for many industrial and architectural tasks. Much like word processing, these early software tools facilitated the sketching of ideas, complex calculations, and the preparation of working drawings, fundamentally changing how designers and engineers visualize and document their work.21