ASCII art has a rich history that dates back to the early days of computing. Invented in part because early printers often lacked graphics ability, ASCII art uses characters to create images. This technique was first demonstrated by Knowlton and Leon Harmon in their 1966 study 'Studies in Perception I,' which showcased some of the earliest examples of ASCII art.

To create ASCII art, a fixed-width font is typically used, such as Courier, which allows for precise control over the spacing and arrangement of characters. This technique has been used by computer-art pioneers like Kenneth Knowlton, who created some of the oldest known examples of ASCII art in the mid-1960s while working at Bell Labs.

ASCII art can be created using any text editor and is often used with free-form languages. The term 'ASCII art' is also loosely used to refer to all forms of text-based visual art. Over time, different styles have emerged, including 'Oldskool,' 'Newskool,' and 'Block' or 'High ASCII' style.

In fact, the first known examples of ASCII art were created using a teleprinter in the early 1960s. Dag Hammarskjöld's printout from 1961-62 is often cited as one of the earliest examples of ASCII art. Since then, ASCII art has continued to evolve and remains a popular form of graphic design today.

Whether used for artistic expression or for functional purposes like documentation and communication, ASCII art has become an integral part of computer culture. Its simplicity and versatility have made it accessible to artists and non-artists alike, allowing anyone with a text editor to create their own unique visual masterpieces.

Ascii art 160 characters