In 1950 when engineers wanted to use a computer to help them design a product, they had to fill out a form, enter the data on punch cards, submit the data to a computer center and wait for the results. This could take weeks. In 1960, a young MIT graduate student, Ivan Sutherland, wondered if computer graphics could be used to help engineers design products differently. His idea was called Sketchpad, and it was an important first step in changing the way design engineers worked. Other engineers contributed their ideas, and soon they had a tool that helped engineers see their products on a computer screen for the first time.
Lesson Synopsis: Students use the NASA applet FoilSim to test various airplane wing designs in a simulated wind tunnel.
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