1938-

American electrical and computer engineer who is thought by many to have invented the field of virtual reality. Sutherland also developed the first computer light pen, allowing direct interaction with the computer. This device is often used by television sportscasters during "instant replays," in addition to its other office uses. Sutherland won the Alan M. Turing Award for developing the Sketchpad program, considered the direct ancestor of virtually all computer graphics software today.