#003 - How Pen Plotting Evolved into a Form of Art

Whenever I delve into a new topic, I feel compelled to understand its origins. Much to my wife’s chagrin, I’m always asking why something came about. I don’t think you can really understand something until you unearth a bit of its history.

Naturally, then, I wanted to learn more about the origins of pen plotters. Were these always artistic tools? Or, like the typewriter and other antiquated technologies, were they once technical tools that have found a second life in art?

It’s probably not surprising, but pen plotters were, in fact, devised as technical tools. But, their utility was short-lived.

Pen plotters started out in the late 1950s purely as tools for technical work. Engineers and architects used them to create precise blueprints and circuit diagrams. Companies like CalComp and Hewlett-Packard built machines that transformed digital commands into intricate, accurate drawings—perfect for the detailed demands of technical fields.

But it didn't take long before curious minds wondered, "What else could we do with these?"

The Dawn of Generative Art

The journey of pen plotters into art began in the 1960s. Early computer artists like Manfred Mohr, Frieder Nake, and Vera Molnar saw beyond the technical applications and tapped into the plotter’s unique creative potential. They experimented with algorithms—code that instructed the plotter to draw complex, repeating patterns—and gave birth to what we now call generative art.

One of the earliest milestones came in 1968 when CalComp sponsored an international computer and plotter art contest. Suddenly, plotter art was being exhibited alongside traditional artworks, showcasing the stunning possibilities of algorithm-driven creation.

Precision Meets Creativity

The defining characteristic of plotter art—the precise, vector-based lines drawn by mechanical pens—aligned perfectly with geometric and algorithmic designs. Early plotter art was mostly black-and-white, emphasizing intricate geometric patterns and optical illusions that fascinated the eye. Artists discovered that subtle tweaks in algorithms could create vastly different outcomes, blending precision with elements of surprise.

By the 1980s, advancements in technology allowed artists to experiment further. The arrival of multi-pen plotters introduced color, and artists like Mark Wilson began producing vibrant, layered works that added depth and texture to previously monochromatic designs. This opened up a whole new range of artistic expression, pushing plotter art from intriguing experiments into fully realized masterpieces.

Pioneers of Plotting

Generative art owes much to pioneering figures like Harold Cohen and his groundbreaking AARON program, which autonomously created abstract drawings, raising questions about authorship and creativity. Similarly, A. Michael Noll’s work at Bell Labs explored human perception through plotted visuals, blending art and scientific research seamlessly.

Artists like Georg Nees and Vera Molnar laid foundational techniques by meticulously experimenting with variations of geometric forms, inspiring generations to come. Their work underscored a central theme: within strict rules and codes, incredible creativity can flourish.

Modern Plotter Artists

Today, pen plotters have seen a resurgence, becoming beloved tools in contemporary generative art communities. Modern artists use a blend of vintage and contemporary plotters, mixing nostalgic charm with the latest software. Tools like Processing and Python now empower artists to craft complex designs easily, breathing fresh life into plotter art.

Social media platforms and vibrant online communities have further boosted plotter art's popularity. Artists worldwide share their creations, swapping tips and building relationships around their shared passion. Most plotters tag their works with the hashtags #penplotter, #plotparty or #plotterart.

This interconnected digital amalgamation has made plotter art accessible to anyone interested in exploring its unique blend of digital precision and tactile physicality.

The Magic of Plotter Art

What continues to make pen plotter art special? Perhaps it’s the tangible quality—the pen's slow dance across the paper, visibly translating code into reality. Or maybe it's the perfect balance between control and unpredictability, where an algorithm’s precise logic can yield unexpected beauty.

It might feel like there aren’t any more pioneers in this space, that everything has been done already and that imitation is all that’s left. As I discussed in the first edition of this newsletter, that certainly isn’t the case. There’s still so much to explore, both on the hardware and software side—as well as the effort to make plotter art more prominent in the art world itself.

Regardless, the plotter’s journey from technical tool to artistic icon exemplifies the profound intersection of art and technology. As artists continue pushing boundaries, pen plotter art stands as a testament to human creativity—always evolving, always tracing new lines.