We are proud, too, of our designs. The two that strike me the most are GRIP and Pixel-Planes. The GRIP software, operational since 1972 in a series of versions, has been at the heart of our research in interactive computer graphics, particularly its application to the elucidation of molecular structure. The Pixel-Planes hardware, operational since 1982 in a series of versions, has included the fastest computer graphics engine in the world. The Department has received recognition from within the University and from without.
Internal recognition is exemplified by the award of four named chairs to faculty members.
External recognitions have been heaped on Fred Brooks and awarded in substantial but less spectacular amounts to several other colleagues. A major recognition of the Department was its naming as a National Research Resource for Molecular Graphics. Our most important accomplishment, however, is our human output. The numbers of degrees awarded is an imperfect measure. It does not count our contribution to the education of candidates who never finished their degree, nor to that of many who passed through our courses without ever intending a computer science degree.