Before the advent of modern graphics cards, the world of computer graphics was vastly different, primarily consisting of text-based outputs. In 1963, the Teletype Model 33, an electromechanical device, showcased ASCII technology by producing printed text line by line, lacking any visual components.
Following this, "dumb terminals" emerged as keyboards connected to host computers, displaying characters in a fixed grid format. These terminals allowed for rudimentary ASCII art but were ultimately limited in functionality. Meanwhile, significant strides in interactive graphics began with Ivan Sutherland's Sketchpad, introduced in 1963, which enabled users to manipulate drawings on a screen using a light pen, resembling today's touchscreen technology.
The evolution of graphics accelerated with the arrival of personal computers in the late 1970s, paving the way for advancements that would eventually lead to the development of modern GPUs. Notably, IBM began shipping graphics terminals like the 2250 in 1965, marking a significant milestone in the history of computer graphics.