2000 33c Celebrate the Century,1990s: Computer Art and Graphics

US #3191f
2000 Computer Art and Graphics – Celebrate the Century (1990s)

• Part of the tenth and final sheet in the Celebrate the Century stamp series issued from 1998-2000
• Commemorates improvements in computer technology in the 90s
• Includes text on the back with historical details

Stamp Category: Commemorative
Series: Celebrate the Century
Value: 33¢ First Class Mail Rate
First Day of Issue: May 2, 2000
First Day City: Escondido, California
Quantity Issued: 82,500,000
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset, Intaglio
Format: Panes of 15
Perforations: 11.5
Tagging: Block tagging

Why the stamp was issued: To recognize the increased usefulness of computers for creating art, visual effects, animation, and more.

About the stamp design: Pictures artwork by Drew Struzan of a computer-generated hand and a monarch butterfly. Includes the following text on the back: “Electronic art and computer-generated animation gained popularity. Artists, graphic designers, and moviemakers used software and powerful, more affordable computers to create everything from abstract paintings to cinematic special effects.”

First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held at the Village Amphitheater of San Diego Wild Animal Park in Escondido, California.

About the Celebrate the Century series: The USPS launched the Celebrate the Century series in 1998 to mark the end of the 20th century and herald the arrival of the 21st. The series includes 10 sheets of 15 stamps (150 in total), with each honoring important moments from a different decade (1900s, 10s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s). At the time of completion, it was the longest and most ambitious commemorative stamp series in US history.

History the stamp represents: Attention-grabbing computer graphics became a mainstay of American culture during the 1990s. With faster computers and complex software programs, many artists, graphic designers, and movie makers created elaborate illustrations and dramatic special effects.

Some of the most intricate computer graphics care three-dimensional images, used extensively in medicine. This technology allowed physicians to create detailed images and “see” inside a patient’s body in an effort to make a more accurate diagnosis.

In science, computer graphics were used to conduct research and produce images of items too small to examine without a microscope. For example, computer-generated images of the DNA molecule helped scientists learn more about hereditary disorders.

This technology became a powerful tool for engineers and architects, enabling them to see how components will fit together without having to build models.

Possibly the most visible area where computer graphics were used was in film. Hits like “Toy Story” and “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace” likely could not have been made without computers. Advertisers also relied on this technology to create eye-catching promotions that appealed to a diverse audience.