If you read this article, then 89 percent out of 100 you are the happy owner of a computer mouse (the remaining percent are equally happy owners of touchscreens, touch screens, perhaps diluted with a very small number of those who use the trackball or “press on the keyboard” ... )
Most likely, this beautiful computer animal is now in your hand or is relaxing somewhere nearby, ready to always come to the rescue, so convenient, familiarly ergonomic, similar in shape to a real mouse.
Background
But did you know that this “gadget” was not always such a “gadget”? The one who invented a computer mouse called his brainchild strictly and scientifically - "an indicator of x and y coordinates for a display system." And this indicator could remind a small rodent only to a person with a phenomenally developed imagination or with a good futuristic instinct. Well, perhaps the wire remotely resembled the tail, but then the iron can be called a mouse ... In a word, who dubbed this unit with a mouse is a secret that remains to be investigated ... However, we will tell about everything in order.
The history of a computer mouse
Nice and quite long. Meet: the first computer mouse (photo above the section of the article). I immediately recall the textbook phrase about wooden toys. Who invented a computer mouse? American scientist Douglas Engelbart. As he himself said, the idea of creating a device that facilitates working with operating systems came to him in 1951. And the idea was embodied in a nice box made of natural wood, when the inventor of a computer mouse worked on a new operating system, very reminiscent of the one with which modern users deal.
The first prototype of the current mouse was developed by Engelbart in 1964. Two more people took part in its creation: graduate student Bill English, who assembled the first manipulator, and Jeff Roulifson, who later developed the drivers for the mouse, joined the group.
First computer mouse device
Look at the photo of the first mouse (bottom view) and compare it with your computer rodent. Yes, there is a fundamental difference: it would not be possible to write out monograms on the working plane, since two wheels limited maneuverability. It was possible to move the mouse only left-right and back and forth. That is, this manipulator had a direct drive. There was only one button on the case. The mouse in the photo shows the one who invented the computer mouse - Douglas Engelbart himself (photo of our days). By the way, the legendary mouse-shaped gadget was not the first attempt to create a computer manipulator. A trackball was invented before the mouse.
Prototype or big brother?
The principle of functioning of the trackball resembles the operation of a computer mouse, but vice versa: you need to twist the ball by hand. It was developed by Canadian scientists Tom Cranston (not to be confused with the actor of the same name), Fred Longstaff and Kenyonn for the Royal Navy of Canada in 1952. But then no more than 10 trackballs were released - the sailors did not like them ... maybe the size, because the ball in them was bowling balls.
You can meet the claim that it was the trackball that served as the prototype of the computer mouse. But it was mentioned above that the inventor of a computer mouse pondered the idea of creating his own manipulator earlier, in 1951.
Trackballs (photo above the section that you are reading now) are used now. They have one advantage: to manipulate with a trackball, unlike a mouse, you do not need a lot of space and a flat surface, and it is less sensitive to vibrations. Therefore, such a manipulator is often equipped with any professional clever technique, implying field, not very comfortable conditions in which it will have to work.
December 9, 1968
The official birthday of a computer mouse. On this day, the newborn was introduced to the public during a scientific conference in San Francisco, where it made a splash with its innovative functions for that time.
The inventor of a computer mouse received a prize of $ 10 thousand for his brainchild. At that time, the amount is quite decent. And the newborn baby began to quickly learn and improve with the help of a mass of smart people. And she began her triumphant introduction into the family of important and vital computer gadgets. So necessary that the threat of parents to annex the mouse for bad behavior and academic performance is perceived by a negligent child in much the same way as the chance to “grab a belt in a soft place” in the childhood of generations who knew about mice only that they were gray, gnawing everything that hit their teeth, and are afraid of cats.
Computer mouse evolution
The first company to appreciate the functional prospects of the baby mouse was Xerox. Here in the 70s of the last century, the mouse learned to move differently thanks to replacing the wheels with a ball and joined the friendly configuration of the Alto personal computer. But at that time, the computer animal was not destined to show itself to users in all its glory: the PC never went into production.
And only in 1981, as part of the excellent Xerox 8010 StInformation Sistem team, a computer mouse broke free. True, she was a rather expensive person, since her cost was 400 US dollars.
It was made more affordable by engineers from Apple. Designed for PC Lisa mouse fell in price to $ 25, therefore, has become more affordable.
It should be noted that the USSR also developed its own gadget. The Soviet computer mouse (photo above the section) had a somewhat frivolous, but quite official name "Kolobok manipulator". It was equipped with three buttons - about the appointment of the middle one, disputes among the first gray-haired first users who had the good fortune of holding this rare instance in their hands still do not subside. But judging by their feedback on the forums, despite its impressive weight and impressive tail thickness, the manipulator worked no worse than any others.
Modern computer mice
Most likely, the inventor of the computer mouse assumed that his brainchild would occupy an important place among gadgets. But did he think that computer manipulators would become like they are now? Perhaps he is a scientist.
In the entire history of the development of a computer mouse, the sensors responsible for movement underwent the greatest change: from a manipulator with direct drive to optical-mechanical and, finally, to optical.
The moment came when the mouse lost its tail and became wireless.
Looking at the photos of the first computer manipulators, it is difficult to keep a smile - they are so imperfect in comparison with the current ones. But they are an important part of the history of the computer mouse.
Two years later, it will be half a century since the mouse manipulator was born . This is a serious anniversary. I wonder how long it will remain with us as an important component of our computer life?