[SIGCIS-Members] Origin of "vector" in vector graphics

[Jacob Gaboury]

This is a fascinating question Bernie, and makes me even more excited for
your new work! I would echo Brian's suggestion that "vector" was probably
just the best word in both cases, as its history and use predates the SAGE
system itself. An interesting question might be when and why the term
"calligraphic display" was used as a synonym for vector displays, as I
imagine that did not begin until well into the development of early
graphical systems. It's also worth noting that the SAGE system used
Charactron tubes for its 19" display consoles, which are extruded beam
displays and not vector displays. It's possible vector displays were used
elsewhere in the system, but I believe the consoles used by operators were
Charactron tubes.

-- 
Jacob Gaboury
Assistant Professor of New Media History and Theory
Dept. of Film & Media, University of California, Berkeley
jacobgaboury.com/ <http://www.jacobgaboury.com/>

On Sat, Feb 20, 2021 at 12:30 PM Brian E Carpenter <
brian.e.carpenter at gmail.com> wrote:

> Bernard,
>
> I think that 'vector' in the sense of directing an intercepting aircraft
> towards an enemy aircraft was first used by the RAF during WW II. (I'm not
> an expert but I did read a lot of popular books about WW II as a teenager.)
> You can find something about this and some references in
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dowding_system . So that was certainly not
> original to SAGE, and appears to go back at least to 1935. Presumably it
> derived from the use of 'vector' in mathematics, which goes back to the
> 1840s.
>
> I have no idea whether using it to describe the SAGE displays was an
> independent choice, but again it very precisely matches the mathematical
> use of 'vector'. IMHO, it was just the right word for both cases.
>
> (My personal first experience of vector graphics was as an Imlac PDS-1
> programmer in 1971. Since I'd been taught about mathematical vectors, it
> just struck me as the obvious description.)
>
> Regards
>    Brian Carpenter
>
> On 20-Feb-21 21:27, Bernard Geoghegan wrote:
> > Hi SIGCISers,
> >
> >
> >
> > Can anyone advise on the origin of the term “vector graphics.”
> >
> >
> >
> > Clearly, it literally describes a production of “vectors” on the screen
> by a concrete line-drawing technology. However, I’m wondering if there were
> multiple senses in that term initially. Specifically, looking through SAGE
> documentation from the 1950s and 1960s, esp, accounts of if operator
> displays, “vector” describes the physical trajectory of planes on the
> display. As SAGE was also a key source for early graphical interfaces, I’m
> wondering of the term “vector graphics” had a double connotation, as an
> analogy between the flight paths and the manner of illustrating graphics.
> >
> >
> >
> > It’s not earth shaking, but it’s etymologically neat-o if one can trace
> “vector graphics” to multiple connotations at its coinage.
> >
> >
> >
> > Best, b
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
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