1981: The first integrated mouse intended for use with a personal computer makes its appearance with the Xerox Star workstation.

The name "mouse" derived from the device's rounded shape and tail-like cord extending from it, suggesting the diminutive rodent.

The first mouse, an experimental pointing device, was invented in 1964 by Douglas Englebart, who was then working at the Stanford Research Institute in Menlo Park, California. Other methods of direction were being tried at the time – a head-mounted device, for example – before Englebart’s hand-operated mouse won out.

The modern mouse is available in a number of variations, each designed to be integrated with a specific operating system or to fulfill a specific function.

Source: Wikipedia

This article first appeared on Wired.com April 27, 2007.

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