Since its invention in the 1960s, the computer device has scurried step by step toward better functionality.
Just like the personal computer, the often-overlooked mouse has had its share of design milestones. Since the first mouse was invented in 1964 by Dr. Doug Engelbart and his team at SRI International, it has been transformed from a one-button, wood-encased device to the multi-buttoned laser-ready versions on sale today.
There is no one company behind the evolution of the device: SRI International, Xerox PARC, Apple, Microsoft, and Logitech all made improvements and small changes along the way. Here’s a look at the design milestones of the mouse.
1964: First Mouse - SRI International
Hoping to find a way to navigate a computer screen, Dr. Doug Engelbart invents the first mouse while at SRI International. The first prototype has a wood covering with one button and, on its underside, two metal wheels, oriented perpendicularly, that communicate movement to the screen.
1973: Xerox PARC
Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) develops the first computer with a graphical user interface (GUI). The computer set-up includes a new ball mouse invented by Bill English. The large steel ball positioned under the mouse and near the cord is able to track motion, in place of the metal wheels of Engelbart’s model. Another change: The PARC mouse has three different buttons.
1981: Optical Mice
Steve Kirsch for Mouse Systems Corporation and Richard Lyon for Xerox invent the first optical mice. Both mice are able to detect movement using light image sensors located under the mouse, and thus move the pointer on the screen.
1983: Apple Lisa
The Apple Lisa is one of the first commercial personal computers to feature a graphical user interface (GUI) and a mouse. Although the Lisa proves to be a commercial failure, the graphical user interface and mouse are used again in 1984 for the successful Apple Macintosh.
1996: Microsoft IntelliMouse
While the first scroll mouse is sold by Genius in 1995 (as the Genius EasyScroll), the scroll mouse doesn’t take off until the debut of Microsoft’s IntelliMouse in 1996, when applications like Microsoft Word and Internet Explorer begin supporting the scrolling function.
2004: Logitech MX 1000
Logitech introduces the first laser mouse, intended to replace the LED in the optical mice. The laser has increased sensitivity to movement and generates a quicker onscreen response.
Just like the personal computer, the often-overlooked mouse has had its share of design milestones. Since the first mouse was invented in 1964 by Dr. Doug Engelbart and his team at SRI International, it has been transformed from a one-button, wood-encased device to the multi-buttoned laser-ready versions on sale today.
There is no one company behind the evolution of the device: SRI International, Xerox PARC, Apple, Microsoft, and Logitech all made improvements and small changes along the way. Here’s a look at the design milestones of the mouse.
1964: First Mouse - SRI International
Hoping to find a way to navigate a computer screen, Dr. Doug Engelbart invents the first mouse while at SRI International. The first prototype has a wood covering with one button and, on its underside, two metal wheels, oriented perpendicularly, that communicate movement to the screen.
1973: Xerox PARC
Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) develops the first computer with a graphical user interface (GUI). The computer set-up includes a new ball mouse invented by Bill English. The large steel ball positioned under the mouse and near the cord is able to track motion, in place of the metal wheels of Engelbart’s model. Another change: The PARC mouse has three different buttons.
1981: Optical Mice
Steve Kirsch for Mouse Systems Corporation and Richard Lyon for Xerox invent the first optical mice. Both mice are able to detect movement using light image sensors located under the mouse, and thus move the pointer on the screen.
1983: Apple Lisa
The Apple Lisa is one of the first commercial personal computers to feature a graphical user interface (GUI) and a mouse. Although the Lisa proves to be a commercial failure, the graphical user interface and mouse are used again in 1984 for the successful Apple Macintosh.
1996: Microsoft IntelliMouse
While the first scroll mouse is sold by Genius in 1995 (as the Genius EasyScroll), the scroll mouse doesn’t take off until the debut of Microsoft’s IntelliMouse in 1996, when applications like Microsoft Word and Internet Explorer begin supporting the scrolling function.
2004: Logitech MX 1000
Logitech introduces the first laser mouse, intended to replace the LED in the optical mice. The laser has increased sensitivity to movement and generates a quicker onscreen response.
