History of Computers - Douglas Engelbart
By Davis Rae
Douglas Engelbart was best known for creating the mouse and the Graphical User Interface which are the basis for how computers are used today. In addition he was a leader in word processing and video conferencing capabilities on computers.
Contents
Overview
Douglas Engelbart was an inventor from Portland, Oregon. He was born on January 30 1925, and died July 2, 2013. In 1955, he received a University of California, Berkeley doctorate in electrical engineering.[1] He later worked as a radar technician for the U.S. Military. Additionally, he had the idea for a group of computers to be connected similar to what would become the internet. Engelbart made his wish a reality when his laboratory was the second location within the ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network). He was ahead of his time with many of his ideas such as the graphical user interface and mouse. Engelbart also experimented with multi-window displays, trackballs, and joysticks.[2] He is considered one of the great minds in computing innovation and hosted what is considered to be the most jaw-dropping tech demo of all time (yes, better than a Steve Jobs keynote). It took place in 1968 and he demoed most of his notable inventions in around two hours that included the mouse, video conferencing from pc to pc, and word processing.[3]
Significance
Engelbart invented some of the most influential components towards how people use computers. Both the mouse and GUI are the main ways a person can interface with a computer. He also participated in the creation of the internet, which is probably the most significant invention of the modern day. He was an innovative thinker and developed the technology that allowed computers to be accessible to the mainstream.
Links
- ↑ https://www.britannica.com/biography/Douglas-Engelbart
- ↑ https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/07/douglas-engelbart-inventor-of-computer-mouse-and-so-much-more-dies-at-88/
- ↑ ibid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1568&v=yJDv-zdhzMY
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