Ivan Sutherland's Sketchpad

via youtube.com

Alan Kay (himself, no slouch) presenting Ivan Sutherland’s “Sketchpad”, developed in 1963 (!!!), which predicted graphical user interfaces, object-oriented development and “alternative” input devices like a light pen. All in 1963.

Did anyone then realise that they’re looking at the future, or was it just a cute demo? How can we, now, discern between looking at the future and cute demos?

(Longer video here: http://www.archive.org/details/AlanKeyD1987))