The first touchscreen was invented earlier than you think
E.A. Johnson's pioneering capacitive touchscreen, invented in 1965, transformed computer interfaces and laid the groundwork for all modern touch technology.
While often cited as 1973, the world's first capacitive touchscreen was actually invented in 1965 by British physicist E.A. Johnson. Working at the Royal Radar Establishment, Johnson developed a device that allowed users to input data by simply touching the screen, sensing the electrical charge from their finger. This groundbreaking invention was detailed in publications from 1965 and 1967, highlighting its potential for air traffic control. Johnson's prototype, built with basic electronics, laid the foundation for nearly all modern touchscreens, from ATMs to today's smartphones. This innovation dramatically shifted human-computer interaction, moving beyond keyboards to direct manipulation.