What Is a Stylus

A stylus is a pen‑like input device used to write, draw, or interact directly with a computer screen, graphics tablet, or touchscreen. It allows precise control compared to a finger, especially for design, handwriting, and art applications.

Stylus — Computer Input Device

• 1957 – The Stylator: The first computer stylus system was invented by Tom Dimond. His device, called the Stylator, allowed handwritten characters to be entered into a computer using a pen‑like tool. This was the earliest example of handwriting recognition.
• 1964 – RAND Tablet: The RAND Corporation developed the RAND Tablet, one of the first graphics tablets. It used a stylus to input drawings and text directly into a computer, paving the way for digital art and CAD systems.
• 1980s–1990s – PDAs and Graphics Tablets: Styluses became popular with personal digital assistants (PDAs) like the Palm Pilot, and with graphics tablets such as Wacom devices. Artists and professionals used them for handwriting, sketching, and precise input.
• 2000s–2010s – Mainstream Adoption: With the rise of smartphones and tablets, styluses became common accessories. The Samsung S Pen and Apple Pencil introduced advanced features like pressure sensitivity, tilt detection, and wireless pairing.
• 2020s – Modern Smart Pens: Today’s styluses include haptic feedback, AI‑enhanced handwriting recognition, and cross‑device compatibility. They are used in education, design, medical imaging, and creative industries.