The Xerox Star revolutionized computing by introducing the graphical user interface (GUI), which replaced the text-based command line with visual icons, windows, and menus. This desktop metaphor made computers much more accessible and laid the foundation for modern operating systems.
Additionally, the Star popularized the use of the mouse as a standard input device, paving the way for intuitive interactions like clicking and dragging. Its emphasis on object-oriented design and WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editing influenced later products, notably the Apple Macintosh and Microsoft Windows, ultimately changing how we work and interact with technology today.