screensavers

A screensaver, or screen saver, is a software program that activates after a period of user inactivity to display moving images, patterns, or other visuals on a computer screen. The original purpose was to prevent phosphor burn-in on cathode-ray tube monitors by ensuring a nonstatic image was shown. In addition to protection from burn-in, screensavers served to entertain users, showcase graphics, or present information when the computer was idle. Modern screensavers are often decorative and may also be used as a security feature by triggering a lock when the user resumes activity.

History and development: Screensavers emerged in the 1980s with the rise of personal computers and became a standard feature in many operating systems during the 1990s. They evolved from simple bouncing shapes to complex 3D animations, photo slideshows, and interactive sequences. The Windows operating system popularized screensavers with the .scr file format; macOS and other platforms offered their own formats. Third-party creators expanded the ecosystem with a wide range of visual styles and utilities.

Modern usage: On contemporary LCD and OLED displays, the risk of image persistence is much reduced, but screensavers persist as a user preference, a means of displaying information such as clocks or weather, and as part of a system lock sequence. Popular types include 2D and 3D animations, photography slideshows, clocks, and informational screens. Screensavers can be standalone programs or integrated with the operating system’s locking mechanism and power settings.