The Evolution of the Computer Monitor

Computer monitors have exhibited great strides over the last 60 years. The progress is not always quick, but over time it has added up, leading to the slimmer, better models that are common today. This history officially started in the 1960s, although the earlier models are almost unrecognizable by today's standards. The monitor evolved through three main stages: CRT, LCD and plasma screen.

The early CRT models

The CRT, or Cathode tube ray, monitors existed for most of the early history of the computer monitor. It only showed four colors originally, but this changed in the 1980s. This type of monitor was widely used until the invention and propagation of newer styles. It is still possible to find this type of monitor in some homes and businesses, but it is quickly facing extinction.

Modern options

In recent years, both television monitors and computer monitors have evolved very quickly. There is now a large degree of crossover between these two types, and many experts predict the merging of television and computer experiences in the next 10 to 20 years. The most popular types of modern monitors include plasma screens and LCD screens. One of the biggest benefits of these new options is the thinner size, which allows for placement on walls and smaller desks.

The evolution of monitors had a very slow start for a few decades. Aside from the inclusion of more colors, not much happened in the 1980s and 1990s. All of this changed in more recent years as there was an explosion in new technology.