PLATO, also known as Project Plato and Project PLATO, was the first generalized computer-assisted instruction system. Starting in 1960, it ran on the University of Illinois's ILLIAC I computer. By the late 1970s, it supported several thousand graphics terminals distributed worldwide, running on nearly a dozen different networked mainframe computers. Many modern concepts in multi-user computing were first developed on PLATO, including forums, message boards, online testing, email, chat rooms, picture languages, instant messaging, remote screen sharing, and multiplayer video games.
PLATO running a simulation of fractional distillation
A working PLATO V terminal at the Living Computers: Museum + Labs in 2018
PLATO III terminal
PLATO III keyboard
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a public land-grant research university in the Champaign–Urbana metropolitan area, Illinois, United States. It is the flagship institution of the University of Illinois system and was established in 1867. With over 53,000 students, the University of Illinois is one of the largest public universities by enrollment in the United States.
University Hall stood from 1871 until 1938 and was replaced by Gregory Hall and the Illini Union. Pieces were used in the erection of Hallene Gateway.
Alma Mater by Lorado Taft, located in front of Altgeld Hall
Engineering Hall is located along Boneyard Creek on the Engineering Campus
Green Street in Campustown