The Utah teapot, also known as the Newell teapot, is a 3D computer graphics model that has become a standard reference object in the computer graphics community. Created in 1975 by Martin Newell at the University of Utah, this simple teapot shape has been used for decades to test and demonstrate various computer graphics techniques, including modeling, rendering, shading, and texturing.
Its popularity stems from its simple yet non-trivial geometry, which includes smooth curves, a handle, and a spout, making it ideal for demonstrating various lighting and shading effects. The teapot has become an iconic symbol in computer graphics, often appearing as an Easter egg in 3D software and films.