<P> The first self - service , interactive kiosk was developed in 1977 at the University of Illinois at Urbana -- Champaign by a pre-med student , Murray Lappe . The content was created on the PLATO computer system and accessible by plasma touch screen interface . The plasma display panel was invented at the University of Illinois by Donald L. Bitzer . Lappe 's kiosk , called The Plato Hotline allowed students and visitors to find movies , maps , directories , bus schedules , extracurricular activities and courses . When it debuted in the U of Illinois Student Union in April 1977 , more than 30,000 students , teachers and visitors stood in line during its first 6 weeks , to try their hand at a `` personal computer '' for the first time . </P>
<P> The first self - service , interactive kiosk was developed in 1977 at the University of Illinois at Urbana -- Champaign by a pre-med student , Murray Lappe . The content was created on the PLATO computer system and accessible by plasma touch screen interface . The plasma display panel was invented at the University of Illinois by Donald L. Bitzer . Lappe 's kiosk , called The Plato Hotline allowed students and visitors to find movies , maps , directories , bus schedules , extracurricular activities and courses . When it debuted in the U of Illinois Student Union in April 1977 , more than 30,000 students , teachers and visitors stood in line during its first 6 weeks , to try their hand at a `` personal computer '' for the first time . </P>
when were touchscreen interactive kiosks first introduced to commercial and retail settings
when were touchscreen interactive kiosks first introduced to commercial and retail settings
1977
1977