The History of CAD

History of CAD explores the untold stories behind the tools that shaped modern engineering and design. Each episode features conversations with the pioneers of computer-aided design, the innovators who built the software, and those who worked alongside them. Listeners will hear first-hand accounts of breakthrough ideas, legendary products, and the people who changed how we create everything from airplanes to smartphones. More than a chronicle of technology, this podcast is a living oral history—capturing the personalities, struggles, and triumphs behind CAD’s evolution. If you’ve ever used design software, you’ll want to know how it all began.

The History of CAD is a general podcast hosted by Roopinder, with 6 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Roopinder hosts The History of CAD, a general show with 6 episodes published.

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  Episode #2

  Anthony Frausto-Robledo, Publisher Architect

  May 17, 202657 minS1

  <p>CAD has spent decades teaching us to speak its language: commands, shortcuts, rigid workflows, and tool specific habits that make switching painful and training slow. We want the reverse. We want design software to understand us. That’s where this conversation goes, fast: from the daily reality of producing architecture and publishing product coverage, to the next wave of AI in CAD that could turn plain English prompts into real geometry.<br/><br/>I’m joined by Anthony, an architect who also runs Architosh, and that dual perspective keeps the discussion grounded in real work. We talk about why CAD...

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  Episode #1

  Mickey Mantle (the other one) on Developing for the First Engineering Workstations

  Apr 28, 202647 minS2

  <p>We catch up with Mickey W. Mantle and trace how early computer graphics hardware and software paved the way for modern CAD workstations, 3D visualization, and engineering design tools. Along the way, we talk candidly about chaotic product cultures, what good engineering management looks like, and how AI is changing both code and careers faster than most teams can track. <br/>• Mickey and I at IMSI. He came from Broderbund. <br/>• Why IMSI felt like the hardest job and what global teams demand <br/>• Lessons from How to Manage Unmanageable Groups and building without specs <br/>• AI hype, LLM limits, and...

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  Episode #4

  S1 Ep 4 - Biplab Sarkar on Vectorworks Growth and the Mac Question

  Nov 24, 202520 minS1

  <p>We catch up with Biplab Sarkar on his path from IIT Kharagpur to the helm of Vectorworks, tracing how reverse engineering and solid modeling informed bold moves in growth, acquisitions, and product focus. He shares candid takes on Autodesk’s dominance, Mac vs Windows tradeoffs, AI’s promise, and digital twin reality.<br/><br/>• IIT roots shaping a career in CAD <br/>• Mechanical engineering to point clouds and reverse engineering <br/>• ICEM, Intergraph, PTC: lessons from early CAD roles <br/>• Vectorworks leadership, partner acquisitions, and revenue growth <br/>• Competing with Autodesk and choosing niche markets <br/>• Parasolid adoption and modeling credibility ...

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  The History of CAD

  S 1 Ep 3 - Grant Rochelle: HP had CAD. Who Knew?

  Nov 5, 202534 minS0

  <p>We trace a living history of CAD through Grant Rochelle’s 30 year career: HP’s software origins, CoCreate’s direct modeling, PTC’s Creo synthesis, Autodesk’s PLM tensions, and Siemens’ push into subscriptions and cloud. The throughline is simple: data, process, and change control decide winners.<br/><br/>• HP’s early CAD stack and life inside a hardware-first culture<br/>• Direct modeling’s value for late-stage change on plastic parts<br/>• PTC’s integration strategy and Creo’s blend of direct and parametric<br/>• NX as a model for low-friction product consolidation<br/>• Why PLM “stickiness” locks in processes and data<br/>• Autodesk’...

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  The History of CAD

  S1 Ep 2 - Michael Finocchiaro's 3DEXPERIENCE

  Sep 12, 202543 minS0

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