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Path: utzoo!hoptoad!amdcad!ames!mailrus!csd4.milw.wisc.edu!bbn!jr@bbn.com
From: jr@bbn.com (John Robinson)
Newsgroups: comp.windows.misc,comp.sys.next,comp.sys.mac,alt.cyberpunk
Subject: Re: replacing the desktop metaphor
Keywords: desktop metaphor, graphical interfaces, computing environments
Message-ID: <33826@bbn.COM>
Date: 23 Dec 88 14:37:57 GMT
References: <4362@pitt.UUCP> <257@gloom.UUCP> <5486@boulder.Colorado.EDU>
Sender: news@bbn.COM
Reply-To: jr@bbn.com (John Robinson)
Distribution: usa
Organization: BBN Systems and Technologies Corporation, Cambridge MA
Lines: 21
In-reply-to: hassell@tramp.Colorado.EDU (Christopher Hassell)

In article <5486@boulder.Colorado.EDU>, hassell@tramp (Christopher Hassell) writes:
>I have heard about a VERY interesting though likely to fail new method of 
>3-d displays.  It basically is like a crt except that a mirror *vibrates*
>at 60hz (probably audible) back and forth, producing a "scanned" block
>of apparent display space left on the retina.  I would be cheap, but the
>moving part aspect will probably kill it.

Not at all.  You have described the BBN Spacegraph.  It is not new at
all; maybe almost 10 years old by now.  It is a PC (as in IBM) board
plus a reasonable-performance oscilloscope with very low persistence
phosphors.  A rigid plexi mirror is energized by a good ol' woofer at
60 hz, causing it to change its focus and move the reflected image of
the oscilloscope face through an apparent depth of a few inches.  The
60hz is essentially inaudible (it may be 30 hz; you can paint both
comin' and goin' for an effective 60hz refresh).  The mirrors hold up
just fine.

I can provide a contact if anyone cares.
--
/jr
jr@bbn.com or bbn!jr