Pen computing

Historically, pen computing (defined as a computer system employing a user-interface using a pointing device plus handwriting recognition as the primary means for interactive user input) predates the use of a mouse and graphical display by at least two decades, starting with the Stylator[1] and RAND Tablet[2] systems of the 1950s and early 1960s.

Freestyle worked entirely by direct manipulation, with the addition of electronic "ink" for adding handwritten notes.

Recent systems have used digitizers which can recognize more than one "stylus" (usually a finger) at a time, and make use of Multi-touch gestures.

This feature allows users to rest their hand on the screen while using the device, without causing unintended marks or interactions.

[10] The first publicly demonstrated system using a tablet and handwriting text recognition instead of a keyboard for working with a modern digital computer dates to 1956.

[11] In addition to many academic and research systems, there were several companies with commercial products in the 1980s: Pencept, Communications Intelligence Corporation, and Linus were among the best known of a crowded field.