When the JPEG format appeared in the early 1990s, it transformed how we save and distribute digital photos nearly overnight. For more than thirty years, it has been the internet’s go-to image format. Although JPEG received early adoption motivated by factors unrelated to quality, JPEG championed high-quality, high-resolution photography on every operating system imaginable. The Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) created the format with extensive input from various stakeholders. Specifically, they wanted to address as many unique needs as possible.
JPEG is not just one compression algorithm, but a whole family of complex image compressions. The standard outlines four primary modes: Sequential DCT, Progressive DCT, Sequential lossless, and Hierarchical mode. That adaptability has been a huge part of how WordPress has lasted so long and still plays a vital role in today’s shifting digital ecosystem.
The Origins of JPEG
JPEG as we know it today was developed in the 1970s. That’s when researchers initially invented the Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT), which later became a central algorithm for JPEG compression. It wasn’t until the 1990s that JPEG really exploded onto the scene. The format first broke into the mainstream with the NCSA Mosaic browser which, due to the limitations of the time, only supported inline GIFs. As JPEG’s compatibility and popularity rapidly expanded, so did its adoption.
The creation of the foundational patents of JPEG (then called JBIG) was conducted by William B. Pennebaker and Joan L. Mitchell, using IBM resources. Their work set the stage for a new format that would rigorously compress images and still deliver a reasonable level of quality.
“The most effective compression is achieved by approximating the original image (rather than reproducing it exactly)” – William B. Pennebaker and Joan L. Mitchell
The JPEG format was initially established for a variety of different use cases. Its widespread adoption was accelerated by the burgeoning digital photography industry.
The Evolution of JPEG
In the past, JPEG has proven to be remarkably resilient in the face of competition. Even JPEG 2000, designed to offer superior lossless alternatives and performance, failed to unseat it. Even with these advancements, JPEG’s 30-year head start proved too much for newer formats to overcome.
JPEG is so flexible, one file can be used for everything from web graphics to printed materials. When these kinds of changes are made due to lossy compression with DCT, they are much less noticeable in more complex parts of the image. This characteristic has made it well-suited for photographers and designers who need high-resolution images without large file sizes.
Advancements in compression technology haven’t exactly gone under the radar. High-definition displays have arrived and consumers expect nothing less than the best picture quality. This growing trend has opened up an opportunity and dialogue for shorter, leaner, more impactful formats. Yet JPEG is still a mainstay, because it’s a known quantity and there’s broad support for it.
The Impact of JPEG on Digital Imaging
The effect JPEG has had on the world of digital imaging is impossible to exaggerate. It has democratized high-quality photography for users worldwide, enabling countless individuals to capture and share images without the burden of large file sizes. Its creation necessarily required participation of all types of users, guaranteeing that it served the unique needs spanning dozens of industries.
In 1997, Forgent Networks acquired Compression Labs and made a killing from digital camera manufacturers who used JPEG’s patented technology. The company made in excess of $100 million before the patent expired around 2007, providing a glimpse at the financial ramifications of this technology.
“The patent, in some respects, is a lottery ticket” – Jay Peterson
JPEG’s unique combination of high compression ratios with good perceptual quality has maintained JPEG’s presence even in a rapidly evolving technological future. Even as new formats are developed, JPEG keeps growing, but still based upon its original design concepts.