The Dykstraflex was the first digital motion control photography camera system, named after its primary developer John Dykstra.
Using old VistaVision cameras (for their high image resolution), created by engineers at Paramount Pictures in 1954, and hand wire wrapped TTL chips, the all-digitally controlled system allowed for 7 axes of motion: roll, pan, tilt, swing, boom, traverse, track, lens focus, motor drive, shutter control, and their duplication in multiple takes.
Dykstra's development of this first digital motion control camera system earned himself, Al Miller, and Jerry Jeffress Academy Awards in 1978.
[1] Dykstra once said about his role in developing the Dykstraflex, “George Lucas wanted this moving camera for all of the photography in Star Wars.
He was willing to take a risk with the concepts that I advanced with regard to ways for doing that.”[2] This film technology article is a stub.