When I started in the computer graphics industry in the 90’s, the only desktop computers that could handle intensive 3D animation and video production work were these mystical computers everyone referred to as “sgi machines”, which were only found in movie studios or high-end production houses. Although these computers did provide the best graphics horsepower available at the time, another alluring characteristic they possessed was their distinct appearance.

At a time when desktop computers were nothing more than simple beige cubes, the “sgi machines” (which was really a catchall phrase for all workstation class computers of the period) were sleek and exotic with aerodynamic styling and were available in various shades of teal, blue, black and purple. The looks of these computers endeared them to the creative industry, but also came with the price tag of a race car!

However, over time, consumer desktops, and especially computer gaming machines, caught up in graphics power and adopted the more unique and less generic looks of their high-end predecessors. Currently, we can look back at these seemingly ancient workstations more as works of art that powered a generation of incredible visual work.