Spaceball

Spaceball is a line of 3D input devices.

Historical events

• 1983 - John Hilton set's out to develop a "3D force sensing joystick" for CAD while at the University of Sydney, Australia
• 1983 - Prototypes the first design (known as the external design) of the Spaceball.
• 1984 - Develops the "internal design".
• 1985 - Application for a patent in Australia for a 6D controller using 6 optical sensors in a ball-type design.
• 1986 - Spatial Systems Pty. Ltd formed to commercialize Hilton's inventions.
• 1987 - Evans & Sutherland places pre-production order for first commercial Spaceball, the Spaceball 1003
• 1988 - Mr. Hilton moves to Massachusetts and forms Spatial Systems, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Spatial Systems Pty Ltd.
• 1988 - Spatial Systems, Inc. introduces the Spaceball 1003.
• 1988 - Spatial Systems enters into OEM arrangements for the 1003 with E&S, SGI, Intergraph and Stardent Comp.
• 1991 - Mr. Hilton, and key members of Spatial Systems Inc., form Spaceball Technologies, Inc.
• 1991 - Spaceball Technologies Inc. (STI) introduce the Spaceball model 2003
• 1993 - IBM signs world-wide OEM agreement with STI for manufacture of custom Spaceball model 2003.
• 1994 - HP signs world-wide OEM agreement with STI for manufacture of custom Spaceball model 2003.
• 1994 - STI introduce Spaceball SpaceController addressing PC CAD market needs
• 1995 - STI introduce, for market research purposes only, the Spaceball Avenger
• 1995 - STI develops new Spaceball PowerSensor technology and moves to custom IC (ASIC)
• 1995 - STI changes name to Spacetec IMC Corporation (SIMC) - "IMC" is an acronym for Interactive Motion Control.
• 1996 - SIMC introduces the Spaceball 3003 for high and mid-range CAD markets.
• 1996 - SIMC introduces the SpaceOrb 360 3D game controller for the PC games market
• 1997 - SIMC introduces new Spaceball PowerSensor FLX technology (Spaceball 2003 FLX and Spaceball 3003 FLX)
• 1997 - SIMC enters into world-wide OEM agreement with Compaq
• 1999 - SIMC merges with Labtec, Inc.
• 1999 - Labtec's 3D Motion Control Technology Group introduces the new Spaceball 4000 FLX
• 2001 - Labtec merges with Logitech
• 2001 - John Hilton leaves the company and founds Spatial Freedom in Australia.
• 2001 - 3DConnexion is launched as a wholly owned subsidiary of Logitech
• 2003 - 3DConnexion announces the Spaceball 5000
• 2005 - Spatial Freedom announces the Astroid 6000