#1: A brief history of the mouse
The computer mouse was invented by Douglas Engelbart in 1963 while he was working at the Stanford Research Institute. The first mouse was a wooden shell with two metal wheels that sent signals to a computer. The device was first demonstrated in 1968 and was later patented in 1970. The mouse was then commercialized by Xerox in the early 1980s, and popularized by Apple with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. The modern mouse now typically has two buttons and a scroll wheel, and is connected to the computer via USB or Bluetooth.
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Why did the scroll wheel get stuck? Because it was scrolling too much!
The scroll wheel in a computer mouse is a relatively recent development in the history of the mouse. The first mouse design, invented by Douglas Engelbart in 1963, did not have a scroll wheel. The first mouse to feature a scroll wheel was the Wheel Mouse, developed by Logitech in 1991. This mouse had a small wheel located between the left and right buttons that allowed users to scroll through documents and websites.
Initially, the scroll wheel was used primarily for scrolling through documents and web pages. Later, the scroll wheel was also used as a button, which, when clicked, would open specific functions in software. This was known as the "3rd button" or "mouse button 3" and it was especially useful for CAD software or graphic design programs.
In the 2000s, newer designs of the scroll wheel were introduced, including the "tilt wheel" which allowed for horizontal scrolling, and the "free-spin" scroll wheel, which allowed for fast scrolling through long documents or web pages.
Today, the scroll wheel is an essential part of the mouse and is used for a variety of functions, including scrolling, zooming, and navigating through menus. Many mouse now have customizable scroll wheel, allowing users to adjust the scrolling speed or assign specific functions to the scroll wheel.
Why did the computer mouse scroll to the bottom of the page? Because it was tired of being on top of the scroll!
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Going Wireless
Wireless mice, also known as cordless mice, have been around since the 1980s. The first wireless mouse was developed by the company Logitech in 1984 and used infrared technology to communicate with the computer. However, these early wireless mice had a limited range and required a line-of-sight connection to the computer.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, wireless mice began using radio frequency (RF) technology instead of infrared, which greatly increased their range and allowed for greater flexibility in their placement. With RF technology, the mouse could communicate with a USB dongle plugged into the computer, which then translated the signal into something the computer could understand.
Bluetooth technology was also introduced as a wireless connectivity option for mice in the 2000s, which eliminated the need for a separate USB dongle. This made it more convenient to use multiple devices with one computer, as it doesn't require multiple USB dongles.
Today, wireless mice are a common input device, and they are available in a variety of styles, including ergonomic designs and those with additional buttons for specific functions. Many wireless mice also offer a long battery life and can be charged or replaced with disposable batteries.
Going Vertical
Vertical mice were first invented in the early 2000s, although the earliest patent for a vertical mouse design dates back to 1997.
The first commercially available vertical mouse was the "An Ergonomic Vertical Mouse" developed by a company named EVM, it was released in 2003. These early vertical mice were designed to reduce the risk of repetitive stress injuries and improve comfort by allowing users to hold the mouse in a more natural and upright position.
Over the years, many companies have introduced their own versions of the vertical mouse and the design has evolved. Some of the newer vertical mice have additional buttons, wireless connectivity, and programmable features.
Although vertical mice were not widely adopted when they were first introduced, they have gained popularity in recent years as more people become aware of the health risks of poor ergonomics and the benefits of using ergonomic devices.
Track that ball!
Trackball mice were invented in 1952 by Tom Cranston and Fred Longstaff, two engineers working at the Royal Canadian Navy. They developed the device as a solution for controlling the cursor on a cathode ray tube (CRT) display. The original trackball design was a large ball that was placed on the desktop and rotated with the fingers to move the cursor.
In the early 1960s, the trackball technology was patented and licensed by the Canadian government to several companies, including the American company SRI International. They further developed the technology and released the first commercial trackball mouse, called the "Rollkugel" in 1968, which is German for "rolling ball."
The trackball technology continued to evolve over the years, with smaller and more precise trackballs being developed. The first trackball mouse for personal computers was the "Kensington Expert Mouse" released in 1984.
Since then, trackball mice have been developed with different features such as wireless connectivity, different ball sizes, and programmable buttons, making them more versatile and comfortable for a wide range of uses.
Laser It Up!
Lasers were first incorporated into mouse technology in the early 2000s. The first laser mice were introduced by several companies, including Logitech and Razer, in 2005.
Laser mice use a laser diode to shine a light onto the surface the mouse is being used on, and then use a sensor to track the reflection of that light in order to track the mouse's movement. This technology is known as "laser tracking" and it offers several advantages over the traditional optical technology that uses an LED light to track movement.
One of the main advantages of laser tracking is that it is more precise and accurate than traditional optical tracking. It also works well on a wide range of surfaces, including shiny or transparent surfaces, which can cause problems for optical mice. Additionally, laser mice are more sensitive, making them useful for high-precision tasks like gaming, graphic design, and CAD.
The RSI connection
Computer mice can cause repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) because they require repetitive movements of the hand and fingers, which can lead to muscle strain and inflammation. Additionally, the small and precise movements required to use a mouse can lead to overuse of certain muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Common RSIs associated with using a computer mouse include carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, and trigger finger.
One of the main factors that contribute to the development of RSIs from using a computer mouse is poor ergonomics. Poor ergonomic design of the mouse or the placement of the mouse in relation to the keyboard and computer screen can lead to awkward and unnatural hand and wrist postures, which can increase the risk of injury.
To reduce the risk of RSIs from using a computer mouse, it is important to use an ergonomic mouse that is designed to reduce strain on the hand and wrist. Additionally, it is important to take frequent breaks and stretch during prolonged use of the mouse, and to ensure that the mouse and keyboard are at a comfortable distance and angle relative to the user's body.
