Xerox PARC Develops Alto Personal Computer

On the cutting edge, the Alto had a bitmapped screen and pioneered the graphics-based display, mouse, windows and icons that later systems inherited. It was never sold commercially and only 2,000 units were made, yet it was hugely influential particularly with upcoming personal computing breakthroughs like Apple’s Macintosh and Microsoft’s Windows. The Alto also signaled the growing accessibility of computers. Freed from the confines of government agencies and large corporations, computers were becoming accessible to artists directly. This enabled traditionally trained artists to begin explorations with computers, including Lillian Schwartz. Thus, the Alto would significantly impact the future of computer generated art and digital art as we know it by shaping its core design and facilitating its greater accessibility.