Evolution of Adobe Photoshop: A Detailed Account

Photoshopped: The Unforgettable Beginnings of an Iconic Software

Way back in 1990, on a chilly February day, Adobe shipped the world-altering software known as Photoshop 1.0. This groundbreaking application brought professional-level image manipulation to the masses, making it possible for everyone from novices to digital artists to create stunning visuals. Fast forward to today, and the verb "photoshopped" is part of our daily vernacular. It's hard to imagine a time when that wasn't the case.

Whether you're a pro or a creative enthusiast, Photoshop stands tall among the finest software available for digital artists. For those eager to unlock the full potential of this dynamic tool, our curated list of top Photoshop tutorials is at your service. Additionally, if you're looking to upgrade your hardware for heavy-duty image processing, be sure to check out our recommendations for the best laptops for Photoshop.

While competitors have emerged in the decades since, regular updates continually push Photoshop ahead. Key features include the introduction of layers in Photoshop 3 (1994), the Liquify filter in Photoshop 6.0 (2000), and the latest moves into generative AI. Plus, seamless integration with Adobe's other programs has helped ensure Photoshop's dominance.

Today, it's hard to believe that this mammoth piece of software started as a humble project between two brothers. They weren't based out of a university or a well-funded corporation, but right at home. It was the shared interests of their father—a photography buff and early home computer enthusiast—that paved the way for Thomas and John Knoll's collaboration.

Knock, Knoll, Who's There?

Diving into their history, it all began when Thomas started tinkering with his Apple Mac Plus to help with his thesis. Frustrated by the inability to display greyscale images on the monitor, he set out to create his own code. John, immersed in image processing at Industrial Light and Magic, found himself spellbound by Thomas' progress.

The seed of an idea was planted, and the siblings began collaborating on a comprehensive, color-enabled application they dubbed, with all the excitement you'd expect, "Display." Balancing his thesis and the demands of a growing project, Thomas took charge of writing the main application code. John focused on developing plug-ins that would become a defining aspect of Photoshop.

A set of innovative image-processing routines and features emerged, such as Levels, tone adjustments, and the ability to select and affect specific image parts. Compared to the specialized processing software of the time, these features were virtually unheard of and revolutionized the digital imaging world.

With 1988 in their rearview mirror, the software had advanced enough that John believed they might have a shot at launching it commercially. Yet, Thomas was reluctant to stray from his thesis. After checking out the competition, however, the brothers realized their creation was far ahead of what was currently available.

The Quest for Investors

Setting their sights on securing investors, their voyage wasn't an easy one. Numerous software companies showed little interest in Photoshop, and others were already developing similar apps. Only Adobe was willing to take a chance. After a few false starts, a small number of copies of their work, branded Barneyscan XP, found their way onto hard drives, signaling hope for the future of digital imaging.

John Knoll's persuasive powers came into play once more when he presented the work to Adobe. Russell Brown, then sitting in the Art Director's role, was thoroughly impressed and encouraged Adobe to bring Photoshop into its stable. A deal was struck, and the Knoll brothers became part of the Adobe family, although they maintained ownership of their creation through a licensing agreement.

Photoshop Goes Public

With the green light from Adobe, the brothers got to work perfecting their creation for its official 1.0 release. Thomas poured his time into coding, while John contributed plug-ins and shared ideas for new features. The stage was set, and February 1990 marked the dawn of a new era for digital imaging.

Adobe's marketing genius was on full display with the launch, positioning Photoshop as a mass-market tool for everyday users rather than a niche software for specialists. At a price point lower than many competitors, Photoshop 1.0 proved an instant hit, transforming home desktops into mini studios.

With version 2.0 already in development, Adobe began expanding its coding team. Key additions were Bézier paths and the Pen tool, alongside Duotones, Illustrator file support, and crucial CMYK color compatibility. This development opened the door for print professionals, establishing Photoshop as the go-to software for the burgeoning digital imaging industry.

Setting Sail for the Windows World

By 1994, it was time for Photoshop to jump the Mac-only ship and set sail for the booming Windows graphics scene. Commanded by Bryan Lamkin's capable team, the challenge was considerable, but they rose to it, even if they called the new version 2.5. Layers, the single most significant aspect of Photoshop's development, was the ace up their sleeve. With layers in tow, Photoshop claimed a coveted corner of the market and consolidated its position as the industry standard for image editing.

So, there you have it—the scandalous, riveting tale of how Adobe Photoshop 1.0 came to be. It's hard to believe that the world-class software that reigns supreme in the digital imaging realm had such humble beginnings.

Have you been using Photoshop for years, and can you remember the very first time you opened it up? Share your experiences and thoughts with us in the comments below.

Insights:

The Knoll brothers' software journey began with the desire to create an efficient tool for image processing tasks.
Photoshop was initially inspired by the film industry, particularly by John Knoll's role in visual effects at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM).
The software initially started as Display, evolved into ImagePro, and finally became Adobe Photoshop after mixed attempts at securing funding.
The key investment came from Adobe Systems, Inc., which refined and expanded the software, before finally releasing it as Photoshop 1.0 in 1990.

The groundbreaking application known as Photoshop 1.0, shipped by Adobe in 1990, revolutionized the digital imaging world with features like Levels, tone adjustments, and the ability to select and affect specific parts of an image.
Thomas Knoll started working on the main application code for Display, their comprehensive, color-enabled application, while John Knoll focused on developing plug-ins that would become a defining aspect of Photoshop.
The innovation didn't stop there; they also introduced image-processing routines such as UX, design, and layout tools, which were virtually unheard of in specialized processing software at the time.
Just like the digital art world was about to change, so was the field of UI and logo design, thanks to Photoshop's powerful features that allowed for precision and creativity.
Fast forward to today, and Photoshop is an integral part of not only graphic design but also digital art, painting, photography, and even 3D art, thanks to its seamless integration with other Adobe applications like Illustrator.
Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned artist, Photoshop tutorials can help you unlock the full potential of this dynamic software, from basic operations to advanced techniques.
Interestingly, the Knoll brothers developed their software out of a shared enthusiasm for their father's interests, which included both photography and home computers.
As the digital imaging industry flourished, Photoshop cemented its status as the industry standard, introducing groundbreaking features like layers (1994), the Liquify filter (2000), and more recently, generous AI integration.
Today, the term "photoshopped" is omnipresent in our vocabulary, highlighting the transformative power of this iconic software that started as a passion project by two imaginative brothers.