Tablet History: 14 Devices That Laid the Groundwork for the iPad

Using a special pen connected to wires that tracked the pen’s position on paper, the telautograph sent handwritten messages via telegraph. (Image courtesy of jmcvey.net.)

RAND Tablet (1964)

The 10 by 10-inch RAND Tablet let computer users choose menu options, draw diagrams and even write software using only a digital stylus. (Image courtesy of Flickr, Marshall Astor.)