RIP Douglas Englebart - Inventor of the Computer Mouse

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In summary, in the late 1960s, an ATT software engineer, Doug Englebart, invented a device for computers that he first called an "x-y position indicator" and later became known as the "mouse." This invention has been a significant contribution to the world of technology, although it has been surpassed in popularity by trackballs and more recently, touch screens. The taxonomy of mice has also been a topic of humor, with jokes about male and female mice and even UNIX mice with surgically removed balls. Overall, Englebart's invention has revolutionized the way we interact with computers.
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In the late 1960s he invented what he called at first an "x-y position indicator" for computers. Then someone on his team dubbed it the "mouse."

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http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/03/tech/mouse-inventor-dies/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
 
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Quite a remarkable invention, inverted by trackballs and only recently superceded by touch screens in popularity.

Many years ago an ATT software engineer, Andrew Koenig told a joke at IBM on the taxonomy of mice. He said there were male mice and female mice and with the advent of the new ATT OS there were mice who's ball was surgically removed known as UNIX mice.

As I look back now, I realize he forgot to mention Doug Englebart's granddaddy two-wheeler mouse.
 

1. Who was Douglas Englebart?

Douglas Englebart was an American computer engineer and inventor widely recognized as the creator of the computer mouse.

2. When did he invent the computer mouse?

Douglas Englebart invented the computer mouse in 1964 while working at the Stanford Research Institute.

3. What was the purpose of the computer mouse?

The computer mouse was created to provide a more intuitive and efficient way of interacting with a computer, replacing the traditional keyboard-only input method.

4. What other contributions did Douglas Englebart make to the field of computing?

Douglas Englebart also developed hypertext, email, and video conferencing, and was a pioneer in the field of human-computer interaction.

5. How did the invention of the computer mouse impact the development of technology?

The invention of the computer mouse revolutionized the way we interact with computers and paved the way for the development of modern computing technology. It made computers more accessible and user-friendly, leading to advancements in various industries such as business, education, and entertainment.

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