In 2001 Stevie Bathiche of Microsoft Hardware and Andy Wilson of Microsoft Research began Brainstorming concepts for an interactive table. Their vision was to mix the physical and virtual worlds to provide a rich, interactive experience.
2003
In early 2003, the team presented the idea to Bill Gates, Microsoft Chairman, and within the month the first prototype was born, based on an IKEA table with a hole cut through its top and a sheet of architect vellum as a diffuser. The evolution of Microsoft Surface had begun. As more applications were built, the Hardware team saw the value of the surface computer beyond simply gaming and began to favor those applications that took advantage of the unique ability of Surface to recognize physical objects placed on the table.
2004
In 2004, the team grew and became the Surface Computing group. Surface prototypes, functionality and applications were continuously refined. The team build more than 85 early prototypes for use by software developers, hardware developers and user researchers.
2005
By late 2004, The Microsoft Surface software development platform was established and attention turned to its form.A number of different experimental prototype were built including the "tub" model that was encased in a round plastic shell, a desk-height model with a square top and cloth-covered sides and even a bar-height model. After extensive testing and user research, the current look and feel of Surface was finalized in 2005.
2007
Today Microsoft Surface is a 30 - inch diagonal display table that's easy for individuals or small groups to use collaboratively. With a sleek, translucent surface, people engage with Surface using natural hand gestures, touch and physical objects placed on the Surface.
The Future
A form factor continuous to evolve, surface computing will be in any number of environments - schools, business, homes and any number of form factors - part of the counter top, the wall or the refrigerator.
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