Gallery: Tech Time Warp of the Week: The 1977 Tablet Computer That Took Up an Entire Room

  • Image may contain Human Person and Teacher
    William Donelson / MIT
    01

    sdms-1

    The Spatial Data Management System invented at MIT in the mid-70s.
  • Image may contain Human Person Video Gaming Sitting and Cushion
    William Donelson / MIT
    02

    sdms-2

    The system seen from above, with creator William Donelson in command.
  • Image may contain Electronics Monitor Display Screen Advertisement Poster Flyer Brochure Paper and Text
    William Donelson / MIT
    03

    Desktop

    The system's homescreen, with different boxes corresponding to different apps.
  • Image may contain Machine Atm and Cash Machine
    William Donelson / MIT
    04

    Phone

    The phone app.
  • A diagram showing the layout of the system including the 8channel sound system.
    William Donelson / MIT
    05

    4.1.2

    A diagram showing the layout of the system, including the 8-channel sound system.
  • Image may contain Text Word Human and Person
    William Donelson / MIT
    06

    Book-index

    The book reader.
  • Image may contain Text and Document
    William Donelson / MIT
    07

    Book-pages

    A user could flip pages of a book by swiping a finger across a touchscreen on the arm of the command chair.
  • Image may contain Cushion
    William Donelson / MIT
    08

    Touch-pad

    The touchpad on the arm of the chair.
  • Image may contain Electronics and Calculator
    William Donelson / MIT
    09

    Calc

    The calculator app.
  • Image may contain Gauge
    William Donelson / MIT
    10

    Movie

    The video control screen. The arrows at bottom control the direction and speed of playback.
  • Image may contain Human and Person
    William Donelson / MIT
    11

    PSD

    A demonstration of the pressure-sensitive touchscreen.
  • Image may contain Plan Diagram and Plot
    William Donelson / MIT
    12

    4.1.2

    This diagram shows the four minicomputers that powered a later version of the system: three Interdata 7/32s and an Interdata 85.
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