Origin Story of Windows 3D Pipes Screensaver
Microsoft veteran Raymond Chen recently shared the fascinating origin story behind the beloved Windows 3D Pipes screensaver.
Readers who remember the early versions of Windows might recall the mesmerizing maze of pipes that would appear on their screens when the screensaver kicked in.
Chen revealed that the screensaver’s creation was a result of the decision to incorporate OpenGL into Windows NT 3.5, and a challenge to showcase the technology without causing any issues with the operating system.
The Windows OpenGL team faced a dilemma – they had successfully implemented the API with hardware acceleration, but users had no way of knowing about this new feature. The idea of using a screensaver as a visual representation of OpenGL technology was born.
A contest was held to design the perfect OpenGL screensaver, resulting in the creation of 3D Text, 3D Maze, 3D Flying Objects, and the iconic 3D Pipes screensavers.
After a stroke of luck, all the screensavers were added to the Windows NT image, thanks to the enthusiasm of a marketing team member who fell in love with them before a scheduled visit to a major computer industry magazine in New York City.
Today, users fondly remember the 3D Pipes screensaver, with its occasional appearance of a teapot among the pipes and fully supported candy cane text.
Although some of the screensavers were phased out in later versions of Windows, the legacy of 3D Pipes lives on, with enthusiasts able to find reconstructions of the original screensaver online.
For those feeling nostalgic, firing up the 3D Pipes screensaver in a Windows 95 emulator or virtual machine can bring back memories of simpler times. Just like old times.
