History of Computer Graphics

About the Book

This book reflects the many changes that computer graphics technology has under gone in my working life time. I graduated from a teachers college in 1963. There was not a computer of any kind on campus, imagine my shock when my very first college employer (Omaha University) required me to know something about an IBM 1620 and a key punch machine! The first part of this book is an account of that experience at Omaha University and later the Nebraska of Nebraska at Omaha. When I moved to Clemson University in 1976, they had a computer and a large Calcomp Plotter but nothing else in the way of computer graphics hardware or software. So, except for a few short sections in chapter one, this history begins with the events of 1963 and proceeds to document what happened to computer graphics for engineering design and manufacturing as practiced by an engineer or technician at Clemson University. The next section of the book contains my experiences as a self-employed consultant (1993-present), my consulting started in 1984 after I completed a PhD in Data Systems Engineering. In 1993, I left full time teaching and became Professor Emeritus at Clemson University. I wanted to start my own consulting company, DLR Associates. Oddly enough, most of my first consulting in computer graphics took place in the Omaha and Pennsylvania areas - not South Carolina. My contacts came from my paper presentations at various ASEE meetings and the annual national distance learning conferences held at the University of Maine. I took a year off to accept a Fulbright Scholarship Nomination from the University of Rookee, India. I was listed as an international member in the Who's Who Directory of the computer graphics industry. In a nut shell, that is who I am. Why, then, did I decide to write this book?

About the Author

Dan Ryan is Professor Emeritus, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina. He received his BA and MA degrees from the University of Northern Iowa, and his PhD from Pacific University. In his teaching career, he published sixteen textbooks, fifty-seven journal articles and numerous reports. He has been frequent invited lecturer in the United States, England, Ireland, and China. his books have been translated into Russian, Polish and Chinese. He is also a member of the Tau Alpha Pi National Honor Society. He is an avid reader and student of American History. He has traveled to forty-seven countries on four continents. He has previously published ten books with Authorhouse and these are now available on www.authorhouse.com. You can reach Dan via his email Danryanbooks@aol.com. “Starting in May of 2009, Dan Ryan, began his Caldwell Series of novels set in Beaufort, South Carolina. ‘Calm Before the Storm’ was quickly followed by ‘Death before Dishonor’ and ‘Lull After the Storm’. The next year two more novels in the series have been added, ‘Admirals and Generals’ and ‘Admiral’s Son General’s Daughter’. Late in 2010, two more novels were added, ‘Jigsaw’ and ‘Catywampus’. This years selections is called ‘War of the Nations.'’” – Barnes and Nobel Book Club “Two giant novels hit the scene in 2010, ‘Admirals and Generals’ and ‘Admiral’s Son General’s Daughter’. These were close behind the heels of the Caldwell trilogy written in 2009. Dan Ryan has done it again with ‘Jigsaw and Catywampus’. Look for this years additions: War of the Nations, The General, and Merryweather USMC. If you love history you will enjoy reading the Caldwell family experience through three generations.” – Amazon Book Club “Dan Ryan’s latest new novel, ‘Merryweather’ was given to each member of the club before our monthly meeting. The discussion after reading the book was lively and divided along national boundaries of North and South. Ryan is a southern writer, but he understands a federal point of view and complications created by the history of our military from 1817 to 1900.” – Lady Rockers Book Club