In almost every retail establishment, touch screen till systems are  the standard way of processing orders  and have become so intuitive and easy to use that customers are able to scan and pack their own shopping using these systems.

This was not always the case, however, especially before computers were a standard part of billions of people’s lives.

Electronic point-of-service terminals were initially exceptionally complex, often requiring a button for every single product or service rendered, which meant that the whole system had to be altered if an item was added or removed.

This was a problem McDonalds Restaurants faced in 1974 with their early, bespoke EPOS system; once the menu started to rapidly expand the system would need to be constantly adjusted to fit.

By 1986, however, this began to change thanks to the work of Eugene Mosher. In 1978, he began to develop early, bespoke POS software for one of the hospitality businesses he was running, but in 1986 had his biggest breakthrough when he developed ViewTouch, the first touchscreen EPOS system.

What made it possible were two major technological innovations; the first was the development of early light pens and resistive touch-screen interfaces that were affordable for most small businesses.

The other development was the release of the Atari 520ST computer, which was at the time one of the most affordable computers available with a graphical user interface as standard and thus easy compatibility with mice, light pens and touch screen overlays.

This allowed “Gene” Mosher to develop a widget-based interface system that would allow for menu items to be easily added and removed without requiring any programming skill.

It was showcased in Autumn 1986 at Comdex as part of Jack Tramiel’s Atari Computer booth highlighting the computer’s potential for businesses and it would find a successful niche in the hospitality industry for many years.