GUI History

Xerox 8010 Star

1981

It was the first system introduced as an integrated desktop computer, including software applications and a graphical interface.
The computer was known as The Xerox Star, later renamed «ViewPoint» and later «GlobalView».

Apple Lisa

1983

It was created by Apple with the intention of making a laptop for working with documents.
But, unfortunately, this system was "killed" by the Apple Macintosh operating system, which was more accessible at that time.

Mac OS System 1.0

1984

It was the first operating system created in 1984 for the Macintosh.
It already had several details of the modern operating system - it was based on the window principle and contained icons. windows could be dragged with the mouse and files and folders could be copied by dragging and dropping to the destination.

Windows 1.0x

1985

Microsoft finally grabbed a universal interface and released Windows 1.0 - its first GUI-based operating system. The system had 32x32 pixel icons and color graphics.

OS/2

1988

It was the brainchild of IBM and Microsoft, but in 1991 the two companies split up with Microsoft with its own GUI technology for Windows OS and IBM continuing to develop OS / 2.
The interface used in OS / 2 was named "Presentation Manager". This version of the GUI only supported monochrome icons.

Windows 95

1995

It has completely redesigned the user interface. This was the first version of Windows in which a button with a cross appeared in the corner of each window to close it.
Various states of icons and controls have been added (such as: available, inaccessible, selected, checked, etc.). Also, for the first time appeared the famous “Start” button.

Mac OS System 8

1998

It became one of the first systems to use isometric images of icons, also called pseudo-3D icons.
The platinum gray theme, first used here, has become the hallmark of future versions of this system. It also used 256-color icons.

Mac OS X

2001

The default 32x32 and 48x48 pixel icons have been replaced with large 128x128 pixel icons using anti-aliasing and translucency.
However, after the release of this GUI a lot of criticism appeared. Apparently, users were not ready for such dramatic changes, but soon enough they adopted a new style, and today this GUI is the basis for all Mac OS X systems.

Windows Vista

2007

It was Microsoft's answer to its competitors. A lot of 3D and animations have also been added. Starting with Windows 98, Microsoft has always tried to improve the desktop. Windows Vista introduced widgets and several enhancements along with the abandonment of Active Desktop.