Description

Developed by Atari, Inc. and released in 1979, Video Easel is a unique application rather than a traditional video game. It was created for the Atari 8-bit family of home computers. The software was an early foray into digital graphics, allowing users to create visual art using the computer’s capabilities.

Features

Video Easel offered a variety of tools for users to manipulate graphics. Users could draw shapes, lines, and patterns, exploring the possibilities of digital art long before the advent of modern graphic design software. The program aimed to provide a creative platform for users to express themselves visually using technology.

Significance

While not as commonly recognized as Atari’s arcade games, Video Easel represents an important step in the evolution of computer graphics software. It showcased the Atari computer’s graphic capabilities and introduced users to the concept of creating art through a digital medium.

Legacy

Although Video Easel did not achieve the widespread fame of Atari’s gaming titles, it remains a noteworthy piece of software for its role in the early days of personal computing. Its influence can be seen in how digital art would later develop, paving the way for more sophisticated graphics programs. This early interest in the intersection of art and technology foreshadowed many of the digital creativity tools used today.