The concept of the graphical user interface (GUI) was introduced by Douglas Engelbart and researchers at the Stanford Research Institute in the 1970s. Engelbart aimed to make computers more accessible through intuitive designs, moving away from command-line interfaces. This innovation involved elements like windows, icons, and mouse interactions, enabling users to interact visually and intuitively with software. The GUI revolutionized personal computing and influenced countless operating systems and applications, leading to widespread adoption and transforming how individuals operate computers today.