TY - THES
AU - Susan B. Barnes
AB - This study traced the development of the graphical user interface in the United States between 1970 and 1993. The objective was to examine the factors that shaped the decision-making processes of interface developers and distributors in an attempt to identify some of the emerging cultural consequences in graphic arts, offices, and schools. Raymond Williams's theory of intentional technological development was explored by examining the decision-making processes of people and organizations involved in the creation of this technology. Siegfried Gideon's viewpoint that technology-society interactions need to be examined during the process of technological change was also taken into account because this research was concurrent with the development of commercial graphical interfaces and assessed the cultural impact created by introducing this technology into social settings.

Primary data evaluated in this study consisted of interviews, original research papers, technical documentation, business literature, and video tapes. Secondary data included computer conference proceedings, history of computer books and concurrent newspaper and magazine reports. Data are analyzed by examining three factors: marketing decision-making, human-computer interface design issues, and philosophical computer issues. These findings are reported in a chapter called "A History." This section includes the following: the decision-making process of early inventors (Douglas Engelbart and Alan Kay); the development and marketing of commercial graphical interfaces (Macintosh, Windows, OS/2); and the current marketing battles between Apple Computer, Microsoft, and IBM to dominate the marketplace.

In a section titled, "Implications," the cultural impact of the graphical user interface in the social settings of graphic arts studios, offices and schools is explored. New media environments, such as desktop publishing, workgroup computing, multimedia, and hypertext, that developed as the result of using graphical interface technology are described.

A final chapter titled, "Interpretation and Conclusion" suggests that the graphical user interface developed though four distinct stages. These stages may be identified as ideals-driven, play-driven, product-driven and market-driven. During the development process the goals of inventors and the practical use of graphical interface technology altered several times. Thus, Williams's perspective on how technology develops was only partially supported.
LA - English
M3 - Ph.D. Dissertation
N2 - This study traced the development of the graphical user interface in the United States between 1970 and 1993. The objective was to examine the factors that shaped the decision-making processes of interface developers and distributors in an attempt to identify some of the emerging cultural consequences in graphic arts, offices, and schools. Raymond Williams's theory of intentional technological development was explored by examining the decision-making processes of people and organizations involved in the creation of this technology. Siegfried Gideon's viewpoint that technology-society interactions need to be examined during the process of technological change was also taken into account because this research was concurrent with the development of commercial graphical interfaces and assessed the cultural impact created by introducing this technology into social settings.

Primary data evaluated in this study consisted of interviews, original research papers, technical documentation, business literature, and video tapes. Secondary data included computer conference proceedings, history of computer books and concurrent newspaper and magazine reports. Data are analyzed by examining three factors: marketing decision-making, human-computer interface design issues, and philosophical computer issues. These findings are reported in a chapter called "A History." This section includes the following: the decision-making process of early inventors (Douglas Engelbart and Alan Kay); the development and marketing of commercial graphical interfaces (Macintosh, Windows, OS/2); and the current marketing battles between Apple Computer, Microsoft, and IBM to dominate the marketplace.

In a section titled, "Implications," the cultural impact of the graphical user interface in the social settings of graphic arts studios, offices and schools is explored. New media environments, such as desktop publishing, workgroup computing, multimedia, and hypertext, that developed as the result of using graphical interface technology are described.

A final chapter titled, "Interpretation and Conclusion" suggests that the graphical user interface developed though four distinct stages. These stages may be identified as ideals-driven, play-driven, product-driven and market-driven. During the development process the goals of inventors and the practical use of graphical interface technology altered several times. Thus, Williams's perspective on how technology develops was only partially supported.
PB - New York University
PY - 1995
EP - 383 pp.
TI - The Development of Graphical User Interfaces from 1970 to 1993, and Some of its Social Consequences in Offices, Schools, and the Graphic Arts
ER -