Early Prototypes and Inspiration:
* 1916: Robert H. Goddard developed a "stick" for controlling rocket movement, though it wasn't a true joystick in the modern sense.
* 1940s: Early flight simulators used similar controls, but these were not widespread.
The First Recognizable Joystick:
* 1952: C.S. Draper, working on the Whirlwind computer at MIT, developed a "control stick" specifically for the computer. This is often credited as the first true joystick.
* 1950s: Early aircraft designers began incorporating similar controls, but these were still quite different from the modern joystick.
Modernization and Popularization:
* 1960s: The US Air Force began using joysticks for flight simulation, and the aerospace industry further developed the technology.
* 1970s: Video game developers adopted joysticks for arcade games, and the joystick quickly became a popular and iconic gaming control.
* 1980s: The personal computer era saw widespread adoption of joysticks, which continued to evolve and improve.
In summary:
While C.S. Draper is often credited with the first true joystick, the development of the joystick was a collaborative effort involving contributions from individuals and industries over decades. It evolved from early flight simulation controls to become the ubiquitous gaming input device we know today.