The article Computing in Architectural Design (2004) discusses the history of Computer-Aided Design starting with the first use of computers in the building industry for engineering analysis. In 1963 with Sutherland’s invention of the sketch pad, he hoped to integrate the evolution of design and analysis programs. Although this system was created from the interest in using computers for architecture design, there were also talks among academic circles that created considerable influences in the development of computer-aided design. Later in the 1970’s, the presence of computers began to appear in architectural practices taking on two different approaches: geometric modeling and building specific. Many of the programs were used by the industry giants, such as General Motors, nut there were also university based research groups investigating CAD developments. Universities such as Carnegie Melon, University of Michigan and MIT were all contributors to the developments in the field of computer-aided design through programs such as building description and space planning; habitability, energy, and building specification analysis; and artificial intelligence.
With both universities and practicing industry giants researching developments in the field of computer-aided design CAD systems evolved into two other generations of systems. The appearance of second generation systems can attribute their growth to faster processors allowing for larger storage capacity, resolution of display screens and the invention of ink-jet printers. But even though these developments helped in the evolution of CAD systems, the second generation was far more graphically poorer than the first. As the third generation of these systems emerged there was a merging of research and graphic-oriented software, as seen in the projects SPICE from Carnegie-Melon University where nongeometric attributes created geometric shapes. This evolution in the development of the CAD systems has created an interface that, while some reluctance in the architectural community, have lead to continued efforts to expand knowledge and research in CAD development.
The article Pioneers of Digital Art (2004) discusses many different uses of computer graphics through identifying instances throughout history where digital means have contributed to the evolution of art. One of these instances is the 70’ Expo in Osaka, Japan where a Pepsi-Cola commissioned EAT created a pavilion that would house collaborations between artists, choreographers, musicians, scientists, and engineers in the area of art. Visitors to the pavilion were exposed to a geometric dome that was lit by spotlights which resembled a cloud type sculpture surrounded by pod structures that emitted sounds ranging from a whale singing to a truck engine. Although the experiences that this structure created both structurally externally and collaboratively internally were unique the cost of the project proved to create costly stress and event disputes for its corporate sponsors. This experience proved to mark the beginnings of digital media to be filled with high ambitions and expenses until the personal computer arrived in the 1980’s that shows that artist could not take on the task alone, it also required the help of engineers that had access to expensive hardware.
Other developments in computer projects such as military research, the Whirlwind project and digital drawings provide other significant developments in the area of digital arts. The military developments in their air defense system, SAGE, which was used to track Soviet aircraft in the mid 1950’s, paved the way for other developments in the digital media such as the creation of the Internet. The project Whirlwind, developed by MIT, marked the first time that the computer monitor was attached to the mainframe computer. The result was the generated sequence of a ball bouncing up and down and the first digital music creation programmed to play the song “Jingle Bells.” Lastly is the use of algorithms to create interior drawings of the cockpits by Boeing Airplanes. These computer generated designs not only contributed to the field of digital media, but also helping designing ergonomically.
Throughout the years many new advancements in the world of computers, from the creation of the mouse and the origins of the internet, provided a digital arena for the creation of new forms of art. But although these new art forms were gaining momentum in the art world, there was a tremendous disapproval from both critics and art fans alike. There was also the issue of high prices and limited availability during the 1980’s that along with the disapproval, contributed to a standstill in the development of tools for the digital media. Therefore the computer access that was needed for the research needed for advancements was limited to the military, industry and research universities.
20 Things I Learned About Browsers & the Web (2010) discuses the origins of the many capabilities of the Internet. Cloud Computing is one area that the article covers which the way that thousands of people and their computers connect to the Internet to provide all of the information that you are able to view. This ultimately creates a supercomputer at you disposal accessed directly from you desktop or laptop. But when connecting to the Internet there are risks involved, your information is exposed for attackers to access through the creations of malicious websites. Now that the developers of browsers are more conscientious of these threats most modern browsers are built to protect you against online threats by checking the websites, providing notifications of updates, and using the browser sandbox to curb codes. With this and more new developments in the Internet there is a vast possibility of what the future will hold for the Internet user.
All of these articles suggest that the future of computer-aided design/internet is evolving at a rapid pace. With the needs of both artists and designers driving the market for the development of design tools, artists are now becoming the engineers and programmers of their own software. But since the era of new technologies is still emerging there is still the need for collaborations between researchers, technology experts and artists. Looking ahead, these collaborations prove to provide great new creations through the knowledge of both art and science.
Chan, M. L., Holznagel, F., & Krantz, M. (2010). 20 Things I Learned About Browsers and the Web. 20 Things I Learned About Browsers and the Web. Retrieved March 29, 2011, from http://www.20thingsilearned.com/web-apps/1#/theend/1
Kalay, Y. (2004). Architecture's New Media: Principles, Theories, and Methods of Computer-Aided Design. The MIT Press.
Lewis, R. L., & Luciana, J. (2004). Digital Media: An Introduction (1st ed.). Prentice Hall.
