At first, the exceedingly high cost of the computer hardware and software required, restricted the use of these tools to a relatively small number of well-funded researches. Over the past few years the cost of high-powered computing hardware has dropped dramatically. At the same time, free, or relatively low cost, molecular modeling software has become available. Computer-based molecular modeling is now in the hands of the common man. A Richardson Ribbon diagram of the protein bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor , created with the application MolMol on a Silicon Graphics O2 workstation An interactive, three-dimensional Chime image of bovine pancreatic trypsin inibitor .
Humans are very visually oriented creatures.
Much of what we learn and understand about the world around us we first absorbed through visual images. Providing students in Middle and High School with the tools for visualizing and interacting with three-dimensional models of molecules can only help to spark their imaginations and interests in learning more about the substance of Nature.