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History of the Computer Mouse

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By jimmythejock


First Mouse

Roller Ball Mouse

Optical Mouse

Laser Mouse

Gyroscopic Mouse


The computer mouse

If you are reading this one of your hands is probably resting on a mouse, this month the humble computer mouse celebrates its 35th year, this hub page reflects the origins of the mouse and the future.

In the 1960's, a relatively unknown inventor Douglas Englebart, wanted to create a way for people to interact with a computer screen.

With the help of Bill English, a pioneer of human-computer interaction, he came up with all sorts of ideas, including a giant metal track ball and a knee operated device- which looked more like a medieval torture device than a computer peripheral, but these devices lacked speed and accuracy unlike his personal favourite-a mouse which was nothing more than a carved block of wood with some electronics inside.

In September 1972, Englebart's project partner-English-built the roller ball mouse, it could navigate a pointer around the screen with ease, and it was so succesful that despite advances in technology, you can still buy a basic no frills roller ball mouse today.

Over the years the amount of buttons on the mouse has fluctuated, one was supposed to be most simple for new users; three gave more options, but in the end the majority of users have two buttons on their mouse.

The roller ball mouse has gradually been phased out over the past ten years, replaced by the optical mouse, and more recently the laser mouse, both these types beat the roller ball mouse hands down, you don't require a rubber mat for them, with the laser mouse if you had the inclination, you could surf the internet on your laptop whilst doing a bungee jump, brushing your hair and singing the national anthem at the same time it is so accurate.

These days there are mice that are specifically designed for games, allowing you to tailor their feel depending on the game you are playing.

Logitech released a mouse recently that uses gyroscopic technology so that you can make changes to applications in Windows Vista by moving your arms about, despite the advances of the mouse, the humble roller mouse will be missed by many, it's hover like skills that saved you from having to dust your desktop.

The mouse will be around for some time to come, although computer interaction technology is continualy changing. For example, the pen and tablet combo offers the added benefit of allowing you to draw and write, in a few years you will be able to control your cursor by pointing your finger at the screen or even by moving your eye.

This would be a fun development for someone watching an office full of people wiggling their fingers or winking at their computer screens.

This hub is dedicated to the Humble Roller Ball mouse 35 years old in 2007



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livelonger profile image

livelonger  says:
2 years ago

Great retrospective! I like the gyroscopic idea - similar to the Wii controller, I guess.

Rmnathan profile image

Rmnathan  says:
2 years ago

I still remember the time when we had to type every commond to interact with a computer. Mouse made our lives easier. Jimmythejock, Thanks for giving such an interesting hub.

markion  says:
2 years ago

intriguing, and i thought apple invented the mouse!

Patty Inglish, MS profile image

Patty Inglish, MS  says:
2 years ago

I never saw a computer mouse until 1990. Things were slow to happen around here. Great Hub!

Betty Jo Petty profile image

Betty Jo Petty  says:
2 years ago

The first one looks a little unusual. Thank goodness for improvements.

Of course, the first computer usage look pretty funny, too.

pcguru profile image

pcguru  says:
2 years ago

Great Histoy lesson Jimmy.... The touch screen is becoming more popular and voice activation is something that is being worked on. right now voice commands are only used in word editing programs, but I'm sure with a little twicking the programmers will figure out a way to make it into commands to navigate around an Operating System (OS)

wow-i-need-info  says:
2 years ago

wow thanks jimmy in need this info for my soc. studies class!!!! luv yas lots!!!!

thnks agin,

wow-i-need-info

One Point...  says:
18 months ago

Great history on the mouse! Your Laser Mouse picture is a little deceptive, however. That looks more like a Laser Pointer function on a corded mouse...

A laser mouse is generally based on similar technology to an optical mouse, and can be wired or wireless, however is more accurate as a laser beam is a concentrated beam of light, as opposed to an LED (optical) mouse. Thus they are more sensitive/accurate and able to work on more surfaces.

maban  says:
14 months ago

thanks for the information..........................

johnr54 profile image

johnr54  says:
11 months ago

My first personal computer was an Altair 8800 kit that was featured in Popular Electronics back in the mid 70's. On that beast you didn't even have a monitor, no keyboard, and certainly no mouse. You entered instructions by loading the binary code for each byte on toggle switches on the front panel. Needless to say it was excrutiatingly slow.

Mehroz  says:
2 days ago

Great Informations....

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