If you’ve used a computer recently — in fact you’re on one right now — you’re probably familiar with the way a mouse can move around the screen, click on objects, and move things around, but computers were not always this way. At one time, computer operations were all done through the use of a keyboard, restricting computer use to those who knew the “language” of computers. But thanks to the development of graphical user interfaces (GUIs), now almost anyone can use a computer without a degree from MIT.
GUIs originated at Stanford in the 70s and early 80s. Researchers there developed what they called “hyperlinks” and used a sensor (now called a mouse) attached to the computer to click on them and move through a computer’s OS. Xerox liked the idea and saw a lot of potential in it, releasing a similar interface for it’s Alto computer.
But beyond simply clicking objects, the next evolution was the invention of the PARC user interface witch introduced the use of windows of information and menus, as well as check boxes, radio buttons, and more.
Soon after the evolution of the PARC interface, both Xerox and Apple computers began to implement similar interfaces on early small computers as a way of simplifying computer use for users. At this stage, Apple introduced the concept of the menu bar.
Soon after, Apple made significant improvements to the GUI used by other companies and came up with a version that could be used by average consumers on their Apple Macintosh 128K in 1984.
Today, GUIs are more common than the old keystroke command systems, and the most popular GUIs are Windows and Mac OS X. However, GUIs are evolving even now for use in hand-held devices with touch screens, like cell phones or the Apple iPad. As technology advancements continue, you can expect GUIs to become even more user-friendly and intuitive in the future.