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The history of the screensaver has OpenGL as its co-star
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A GitHub project allows us to go back in time and enjoy 3D Pipes
If you have been using computers for a few years, the cover image of this article may look familiar to you. The pipes screensaver appeared in a variety of Windows versions and has long helped extend the life of home and office monitors. Now, although it is a vestige of the past, details about its origin have come to light. And they are the most curious.
The Microsoft operating system development teams have had a quite interesting work dynamic. Some solutions that were supposed to be temporary ended up becoming permanent. Others emerged as an accessory element to a more important feature and ended up becoming well-remembered elements. Windows 3D Pipes belongs to the latter group.
A screensaver as OpenGL’s best ally
Raymond Chen, creator of ‘The Old New Thing’ on the Windows development blog, says in an entry that one of his friends told him how Windows 3D Pipes came about. Chen’s friend worked on a team of Windows NT, a version that, by the way, had marked a before and after of Windows. But more promising changes were on the way, including OpenGL support.
This Microsoft employee thought that a screensaver would be the best way to promote OpenGL without making drastic changes. The release date of the next version of Windows NT was approaching, so this person organized a contest to choose the screensaver that would be included in the system. He told the other team members that the selection will be done by a vote.
After a few days, screensavers such as 3D Text, 3D Maze, 3D Flying Objects and 3D Pipes were presented. Chen’s friend told Microsoft employees they would participate in the contest how to install screen protectors and how to vote for your favorite. However, before the contest came to an end, a member of the marketing team tested the screensavers and was delighted with them.
“You can cancel the vote. We’ll add them all to the product!” said this person. Thus, Windows NT 3.5 was released in 1994 with 3D Pipes. The screensaver remained in Microsoft’s operating system until Windows XP, released in 2001. Windows Vista, which arrived in 2007, got rid of the old screensavers for more modern ones. If you want to go back in time, this GitHub page allows you to experience 3D Pipes in full screen on any device.
Images | Microsoft
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