hypnotic network of 3D pipes in motion

If you’ve been using a computer for several years, the cover image of this article may look familiar to you. The screensaver with pipes appeared in various versions. Windows versions and has long helped extend the life of home and office monitors. Now, although it is a relic of the past, details of its origin have become known. And they are the most curious.

Microsoft’s operating system development teams had some interesting work dynamics. Some solutions that were supposed to be temporary ended up becoming permanent. Others emerged as ancillary elements to a more important function and ended up becoming memorable elements. Windows 3D Pipes belongs to the latter group.

Screensaver as OpenGL’s best ally

Raymond Chen, creator of the “Old New Thing” on the Windows Developers Blog, says in his post that one of his friends told him how Windows 3D Pipes came to be. Chen’s friend worked on the team Windows NT, a version which, by the way, marked before and after Windows. But more promising changes awaited us, including support for OpenGL.

This Microsoft employee believed that a screensaver would be the best way to promote OpenGL without making radical changes. The release date for the next version of Windows NT was approaching, so this man organized a competition to choose a screen saver to include with the system. He informed the rest of the team that the selection would be made by voting.

A few days later, screensavers such as “3D Text”, “3D Maze”, “3D Flying Objects” and “3D Pipes” were introduced. Chen’s friend told Microsoft employees that they would take part in the competition how to install protective films and how to vote for your favorite. However, before the competition ended, a member of the marketing team tested the screensavers and was delighted with them.

“You can cancel the vote. We will add them all to the product!” – said this man. Thus, in 1994, Windows NT 3.5 was released with 3D Pipes. The screensaver remained in the Microsoft operating system until the release of Windows XP in 2001. Windows Vista, which appeared in 2007, got rid of the old screensavers and replaced them with more modern ones. If you want to go back in time, this GitHub page allows you to use 3D Pipes in full screen mode on any device.

Images | Microsoft

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