Today we can see that CG is used for playing games, graphic presentation of science works, for special effects in movies and other different places. 15 years ago, using of CG was very rare and only in professional purposes, and those who created had to develop hardware access code by them selves, so SGI (Silicon Graphics Inc.) decided to build API (Application Programing Interface) which would standardize hardware access code, and resposibility for developing it, swich to graphics card manufactures nvidia, ati, etc...

Because, back then, there were lots of manufactures, making it possible for anyone to have their access interface, every user in different programming language could make simple graphic program without complications about hardware access. In 1992 SGI led to formation of OpenGL ARB (Architectural Review Board), which was consisted of groups of companies that will in future standardize OpenGL for different software and hardware platforms.

OpenGL eveluated from earlier and very similiar SGI 3D interface, IrisGL.
IrisGL had hardware restriction, programs made in IrisGL could work only on specific hardware platforms. OpenGL bypassed that problem with software way, and made it possible for advance graphics to be used in non proffesional systems.

When in 1995 Microsoft published its Direct3D, Microsoft, SGI, and HP (Hewlett-Packard) decided to run Fahrenheit project which sould make API that would unite OpenGL and D3D good characteristics so there would be no competition in that area, and that uniqe API would exist. Because lots of tensions this project was abandoned and SGI and Microsoft quit working together.