Douglas Engelbart’s “The Mother of All Demos” in 1968 was an incredible display of early technology that gave way to much of the technology we have and use today. When I first saw the demo, it was hard for me to believe it happened in the 60’s, as the ideas they were presenting felt much more recent. The early model of the computer mouse, beginnings of hypertext, and display of collaboration are so interesting to look back on, as it seemed like all of the puzzle pieces were there that would later fit together to give us the computers we know today.
In terms of importance, the demo was groundbreaking, as nobody had previously seen anything like it. Even now in 2025, watching the demo felt inspiring. It’s hard to imagine how people must have felt viewing it in real time, though we can certainly imagine the influence it had on them thanks to the lasting impact it made. The demo sealed its legacy, inspiring companies like Xerox Parc, Microsoft, and Apple. With an awe inspiring display of new technology and a legacy that helped give life to some of the most well known companies today, It’s no surprise that the demo is viewed as one of the turning points in computer history.