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History of Computer Monitors Timeline

(1920s–Present)

The history of computer monitors traces the evolution from bulky monochrome CRTs to slim, energy-efficient, high-resolution flat-panel displays. Less

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Display technologies

CRT monitors dominate computer displays

1900 - 2000

Through most of the 20th century and until the 21st century, cathode-ray tubes were the dominant technology used in computer monitors. CRTs generated images by directing an electron beam onto a phosphorescent screen.

High-resolution CRTs serve specialized applications

1950 - 1972

Before affordable general-purpose computer displays became available, high-resolution CRT displays were developed for specialized military, industrial, and scientific applications. Their high cost prevented widespread consumer use.

Image source: Cathode-ray tube

High-resolution CRTs serve specialized applications

Tektronix 4010 expands CRT terminal use

1972

The release of the slow but affordable Tektronix 4010 terminal in 1972 made wider commercial use of high-resolution CRT display technology possible.

Image source: Tektronix 4010

Tektronix 4010 expands CRT terminal use

Monochrome CRTs define early personal computers

1977 - 1980

Early computers such as the TRS-80 and Commodore PET were generally limited to monochrome CRT displays, reflecting the cost and technical constraints of personal-computer graphics at the time.

Image source: Monochrome monitor

Monochrome CRTs define early personal computers

LCD monitors become more affordable

1990 - 1997

As liquid-crystal display prices declined during the 1990s, LCD monitors became increasingly popular and began competing directly with CRT monitors by 1997.

Image source: Liquid-crystal display

LCD monitors become more affordable

Eizo FlexScan L66 enters the desktop market

1995

The Eizo FlexScan L66 was among the first desktop LCD computer monitors, appearing in the mid-1990s as flat-panel technology began moving into mainstream computer use.

SGI 1600SW reaches desktop users

1998

The SGI 1600SW was one of the early desktop LCD computer monitors identified with the transition toward flat-panel displays.

Image source: SGI 1600SW

SGI 1600SW reaches desktop users

Apple Studio Display joins early LCD monitors

1998

Apple's Studio Display was among the early desktop LCD computer monitors that helped establish flat-panel displays as an alternative to bulky CRTs.

ViewSonic VP140 enters the desktop LCD market

1998

The ViewSonic VP140 was another early desktop LCD computer monitor, released during the late-1990s expansion of flat-panel display products.

LCDs outsell CRTs

2003

In 2003, LCD monitors outsold CRT monitors for the first time, making LCD the primary technology used for computer monitors.

Aspect ratios and resolutions

Alternative 5:4 and 8:7 displays appear

1900 - 2001

Alongside the dominant 4:3 format, some computer monitors used 5:4 or 8:7 aspect ratios before widescreen displays became common.

Image source: Display aspect ratio

Alternative 5:4 and 8:7 displays appear

The 4:3 monitor era dominates

1900 - 2001

Until about 2001, most computer monitors used a 4:3 aspect ratio, which was associated with the traditional shape of CRT screens.

Monitor resolutions rise from 280 × 192

1975 - 1979

Computer-monitor resolutions were as low as 280 × 192 pixels during the late 1970s, illustrating the limited detail available on early personal-computer displays.

Image source: Display resolution

Monitor resolutions rise from 280 × 192

1024 × 768 becomes a late-1990s milestone

1995 - 1999

By the late 1990s, computer-monitor resolutions had reached 1024 × 768 pixels, marking a major increase from the resolutions common two decades earlier.

Widescreen monitors become available

2001 - 2006

Between 2001 and 2006, monitors with 16:9 and mostly 16:10 aspect ratios became commonly available. The transition began in laptops and later reached standalone monitors.

16:10 becomes the leading LCD aspect ratio

2008

In 2008, 16:10 became the most commonly sold aspect ratio for LCD monitors and was also the mainstream standard for laptops and notebook computers.

1920 × 1080 becomes the leading resolution

2009

Since 2009, 1920 × 1080 has been the most commonly sold computer-monitor resolution. It is shared with 1080p high-definition television.

Mass-market LCD resolution reaches 2560 × 1600

2009 - 2013

Before 2013, mass-market LCD monitors were generally limited to 2560 × 1600 at 30 inches, excluding niche professional displays with higher specifications.

The industry shifts from 16:10 to 16:9

2010

Beginning in 2010, the computer industry moved from 16:10 toward 16:9 displays. The change was encouraged by the use of 16:9 for high-definition television and by lower manufacturing costs.

4:3 displays enter limited production

2011

By 2011, non-widescreen monitors with 4:3 aspect ratios were being manufactured only in small quantities, reflecting the dominance of widescreen designs.

4K UHD monitors enter the market

2015

By 2015, most major display manufacturers had released monitors with 3840 × 2160 resolution, commonly called 4K UHD.

Image source: 4K resolution

4K UHD monitors enter the market

First 8K monitors begin shipping

2015

The first monitors with 7680 × 4320 resolution, commonly called 8K, began shipping by 2015, extending the progression toward extremely high-resolution computer displays.

Image source: 8K resolution

First 8K monitors begin shipping

Graphics standards

Apple II demonstrates affordable color output

1977

The Apple II, introduced in 1977, showed that color display capability could be a practical feature in a MOS 6500 series-based computer.

Image source: Apple II

Apple II demonstrates affordable color output

Atari 2600 brings color to a game console

1977

The Atari 2600, introduced in 1977, was another MOS 6500 series-based machine capable of producing color output, helping establish color display as an important consumer feature.

Image source: Atari 2600

Atari 2600 brings color to a game console

Atari 8-bit computers advance color graphics

1979

The Atari 8-bit computers, introduced in 1979, made color output a specialty of more graphically sophisticated home computers.

Image source: Atari 8-bit computers

Atari 8-bit computers advance color graphics

IBM introduces the Color Graphics Adapter

1981

IBM introduced the Color Graphics Adapter in 1981, bringing standardized color graphics to IBM-compatible personal computers.

Image source: Color Graphics Adapter

IBM introduces the Color Graphics Adapter

CGA supports four colors at 320 × 200

1981

One Color Graphics Adapter mode displayed four colors at a resolution of 320 × 200 pixels, providing a basic color-monitor standard for early IBM PCs.

CGA supports two colors at 640 × 200

1981

The Color Graphics Adapter could also produce a 640 × 200-pixel image using two colors, trading color range for greater horizontal resolution.

IBM introduces the Enhanced Graphics Adapter

1984

IBM introduced the Enhanced Graphics Adapter in 1984 as a substantial improvement over CGA, increasing both color capability and resolution.

Image source: Enhanced Graphics Adapter

IBM introduces the Enhanced Graphics Adapter

EGA reaches 16 colors at 640 × 350

1984

The Enhanced Graphics Adapter could display 16 colors at a resolution of 640 × 350 pixels, offering a richer and more detailed image for IBM-compatible computers.

Display characteristics

Van Eck phreaking is documented

1985

Computer-monitor electromagnetic emissions became associated with van Eck phreaking after Dutch computer researcher Wim van Eck published the first paper on the phenomenon in 1985, including a proof of concept.

Adobe RGB offers a wider gamut than sRGB

1998

The sRGB and Adobe RGB standards have different gamuts. Adobe RGB can show a wider range of colors than sRGB, an important distinction for monitors used in imaging and design.

Image source: Adobe RGB color space

Adobe RGB offers a wider gamut than sRGB

Monitor curvature is specified in radius

2000

Curved-monitor curvature is typically given in millimeters but expressed with the letter R instead of a unit. For example, a display described as having 3800R curvature has a 3800-millimeter radius of curvature.

Monitor gamut is measured in color space

2000

A monitor's gamut is measured as a subset of the CIE 1931 color space. Different color standards cover different ranges of visible color.

Image source: Color space

Monitor gamut is measured in color space

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Key Facts

  1. Early computer displays used cathode-ray tube (CRT) technology, similar to television screens.
  2. Many early monitors displayed only text, often in a single color such as green, amber, or white.
  3. Color CRT monitors became widely used for personal computers during the 1980s and 1990s.
  4. LCD technology replaced CRTs because it produced thinner, lighter, and more energy-efficient monitors.
  5. Modern monitors use LCD, LED-backlit, OLED, and related technologies, offering high resolutions, fast refresh rates, and improved color.

Source

This History of Computer Monitors timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

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