Dr. Sam Hurst the founder of Elographics (left) with the Elotouch
History of the Touch-Screen
The first touch screen was the Elotouch that was created by Sam Hurst in 1971 with nine friends who were physicists, chemists, engineers, draftsmen, administrators, and carpenters. It was made to transform graphics to data and were originally started as a basement business. They were built in three different basements, one built the sensors, one built the hardware, and one built the electronics. The first patent was in 1971 that was exclusive to Elographics (the company Sam Hurst created). The accutouch that was made by Elographics was the first transparent touch screen and it was a 5-wire resistive technology and was made in 1974. It is the most popular kind of touch screen today.today.
The Accutouch screen
Original Patents
The following patent applied to the Elotouch.
US3662105: Electrical Sensor Of Plane Coordinates
Inventor(s)
Hurst; George S. , Lexington, KY
Parks; James E. , Lexington, KY
Issued/Filed Dates:May 9, 1972 / May 21, 1970
The following patent applied to the Accutouch.
US3798370: Electrographic Sensor For Determining Planar Coordinates
Inventor(s)
Hurst; George S. , Oak Ridge, TN
Issued/Filed Dates:March 19, 1974 / April 17, 1972
US3662105: Electrical Sensor Of Plane Coordinates
Inventor(s)
Hurst; George S. , Lexington, KY
Parks; James E. , Lexington, KY
Issued/Filed Dates:May 9, 1972 / May 21, 1970
The following patent applied to the Accutouch.
US3798370: Electrographic Sensor For Determining Planar Coordinates
Inventor(s)
Hurst; George S. , Oak Ridge, TN
Issued/Filed Dates:March 19, 1974 / April 17, 1972
Evolution of the Touch-Screen
The evolution was stagnant until they were used in consumer products (e.g. phones). They expanded from monitors to tables and suspended glass which use projection and infrared. The technology only grew within the last three years where there was a better understanding of technology.