How Star Trek artists imagined the iPad... 23 years ago

One interesting characteristic of Star Trek: The Next Generation--one that separated it from the original series and most of the early films--was its widespread use of smooth, flat, touch-based control panels throughout the Enterprise-D. This touch interface was also used for numerous portable devices known as PADDs, or Personal Access Display Devices. These mobile computing terminals bear a striking resemblance to Apple's iPad--a mobile computing device largely defined by its smooth, flat touchscreen interface.

via How Star Trek artists imagined the iPad... 23 years ago