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> Is it true that plotters were the first graphical device to be controlled by computers?

Do you count differential analyzers as computers?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Differential_analyser

If so, then yes.

IIRC, some of the input devices to such machines were x/y "pointer" tables - imagine a flatbed plotter, where you moved the part where the pen would go, in order to input cartesian coordinates (or a continuous value I suppose, composed of x/y values?)...

Prior to oscilloscopes (but after differential analysers) - the Williams Tube was used as a memory system. It could be considered a form of bitmap display, except you'd have to only use it in a dark room (and no camera flashes, dammit!):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Williams_tube




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