The 1st Computer Rodent
Kirt's Cogitations™ #54

RF Cafe University"Factoids," "Kirt's Cogitations," and "Tech Topics Smorgasbord" are all manifestations of my ranting on various subjects relevant (usually) to the overall RF Cafe theme. All may be accessed on these pages:

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The 1st Computer Rodent

In 1964, Dr. Douglas Engelbart received a patent for a device consisting of a wooden shell and two metal wheels - the computer mouse. In 1970, a patent was awarded (out of more than 45 for Dr. Englebart) for what was described in the patent application as an "X-Y position indicator for a display system." He nicknamed it the "mouse" because the tail came out the end.

Dr. Douglas Engelbart's mouse prototype

World's First Computer Mouse, by Douglas Engelbart

(Wikipedia image)

Computer Mouse Patent US3541541 - RF Cafe

X-Y Position Indicator for a Display System

USPTO Patent #US 3541541 A