In the early years of iPhone apps, Steve Sprang, the developer of Brushes, contacted me and told me the story behind a few of his app icons:
They’re the original Newton Undo/Redo buttons. Sprang wanted to pay homage to the Newton, so he used the icons in his now-famous app.
Here’s the original Newton version:
As you can see from the above still frame, the Newton icons remain in the new iPad version of Brushes (in the keynote, you can see them at the 42:30 mark).
Sprang developed apps for the Newton, too, back in the day – including Lathe, a popular 3D modeler.
It’s been gratifying to see Sprang’s success with his Brushes app, and great to see he still uses those Newton icons from way back when.
Translation: I needed a convincing “undo” icon that didn’t look like “Back”, so I just stole this one I remember from a long time ago.
Posted by Dave Kalinski on February 11th, 2010.
Art is theft, right?
I give Steve the benefit of the doubt: a Newton developer paying homage to his old stomping grounds. Call it “theft” – whatever. It’s a unique take, this day and age, on a plain, circular arrow.
Posted by davelawrence8 on February 12th, 2010.