First Physics Animation by Computer - 1963

[robcat2075]

This 1963 short film is said to be the first computer animation where the image is not only rendered by a computer but also the motion is calculated by computer. The first physics simulation.

Actually, I doubt they had many tools for manual keyframing back then so getting the computer to figure it all was probably the way to go.

This was programmed in FORTRAN, rendered frame-by-frame on a monitor of some sort, then captured frame-by-frame on film for presentation.

Notice that there is hidden line removal as the obelisk tumbles. I am unsure if the sphere is a 3D creation or not.

Simulation of a Two Gyro-Gravity Gradient Attitude Control System (1963)