Before pixels: Modular industrial dashboards

Before the widespread adoption of digital displays, industrial control systems relied on mechanical and electromechanical dashboards to monitor and control complex industrial processes. These early dashboards, often referred to as 'analog' or 'mechanical' dashboards, used a combination of gears, levers, and meters to display information and allow operators to adjust settings. The article showcases a selection of vintage photographs and diagrams of these early dashboards, providing a glimpse into the history of industrial control systems and the evolution of dashboard design.