Robert Abel and Associates-Logo Medley

[w6wdh]

These logos date from the 1970s and were not done with computer animation, but with motion control systems.

Artwork was set up on a gimballed backlit fluorescent light box, and the camera was on a motorized dolly on a track. The effects were built up in camera with multiple frame-by-frame exposures. Everything was driven by stepper motors and Abel's own custom motion control systems.

I worked there from 1972-1977 and built the minicomputer motion control system used to make the TWA logo.

[ashleetanksley]

cool animation ... keep it up

[Wiimaster206]

What's the music in this video? btw the logos are amazing!

[towringer]

I remember a Starburst Fruit Chews commercial from 1976 that had this same psychedelic look. "A Burst Of Fruit Flavor From The Very First Chew" . It must have been done by the Robert Abel Company. I wish someone would post it.

[TheComicfreak10]

so awesome

[echoistboy9]

genius....



[tapthatt2012]

too cool

[Ian16545]

Who's doing the music? Sounds like something Merv Griffin and Mort Lindsey would do, if you ask me...

[scherfilms]

Wow, that was amazing! Abel was really a genius. If I'm not mistaken this is all film work done with Oberry cameras and optical printers. Thanks for posting this, it's just stunning.

[douro20]

@scherfilms

Actually, it's all digital computer animation, done with a Cray X-MP. Robert Abel was a real pioneer in this field. His company was the one who did all the CG animation work in the original Tron.

[LogicSmash]

@douro20 Actually Robert Abel worked with MAGI and Information International as well on the 1982 movie Tron.

[TheComicfreak10]

The RCA VideoTrak is pretty awesome!

[haileyy9jenna1]

So cool!