Watch BBC Explain CGI in 1982

How far had computer graphics come in the early eighties? "Tomorrow's World," an old show on BBC, shows us just how far the tech had come – and how far it was going to go.

In the span of 40 years, computer generated graphics have flooded our minds and television sets. It's possible that half a century from now we won't quite remember where it all began. How a spinning globe was the peak of 3D graphics, and it needed custom equipment to work. The machine is able to wrap textures around on themselves, creating a 3D effect.

What's happening here isn't actually 3D rendering. It's a 2D representation of what a 3D object would look like. Michael Rodd, the sarcastic presenter, is still able to wow us with a page turn transition. It's incredible to think how this would have been considered extravagant technology to a nation of viewers, when our smartphones can make short work of this and more.

Compare this to BBC's graphics today. Their election coverage is at the top of it's game, introducing augmented reality on set. Usually I find these kind of graphics to be tacky and poorly made, but now that the art has been refined, they're looking pretty sharp. During the Scottish referendum, Brexit vote, and UK elections, these graphics represented facts in a clear and easy manner. The presenter can interact and engage with the graphics, far beyond what they could do with a green screen.

[via BBC Earth Lab]