The demo by Douglas Engelbart and his team at Stanford Research Institute in 1968 was really important because it showed the world new ways to use computers. Before this demo, most people saw computers as big calculators or tools for processing numbers and data. But Engelbart introduced things like the computer mouse, video conferencing, and ways for people to work together on computers in real-time.
This demo had so many new ideas that it shaped the future of how we interact with technology. For example, the mouse made it much easier and more natural to point and click on things on a computer screen, which is something we still do all the time today.
Engelbart’s innovations laid the groundwork for the graphical user interfaces that we see on almost every device now, from smartphones to tablets to laptops. His idea of making technology more interactive and user-friendly is a core principle of today’s design philosophy. We see its influence in how apps and websites are designed to be intuitive and accessible, focusing on user experience. This makes sure that technology not only performs well but also fits smoothly into our daily lives and tasks, making complex tasks simpler and more enjoyable.